The McDonald family at the canopy edge of the 5000th registered QEII open space covenant, Toby, Charlotte, Hamish, Anna, Alex and Theo. Photo: Supplied
A piece of Wairarapa farmland has become the 5000th area on private land to be protected under the QEII National Trust.
An 8.9-hectare forest that landowners the McDonald family call The Gorge was recently protected under the Open Space Covenant in partnership with the trust.
The newly-registered area protects modified primary forest and a stream system that feeds into Wainuioru River.
The forest contains rare and threatened species, including Olearia gardneri, rimu and pōpokotea.
Farm owner Toby McDonald said being involved in the milestone was a huge honor.
"My dad started it all by protecting the first piece of bush in the 80s and we've worked with QEII several times since then to protect more places on the farm.
"Our local rep, Trev, knows his stuff and when he tells us about the things we're protecting, it feels like we're doing the right thing."
The new area brings the total area of land protected by a QEII Open Space Covenant close to 200,000 hectares.
QEII chairperson Bruce Wills said protecting private land with a QEII National Trust covenant benefited everyone and was the most efficient and effective way to help protect the habitats of threatened animals and species.
"Open space covenants are vital to protecting our natural taonga, 70 per cent of New Zealand is privately owned and every time landowners choose to do this, it is a generous gift to the whole of New Zealand.
"The land is protected forever, for future generations to enjoy, and will continue to provide a refuge for native species."
"This amazing milestone is made possible by all landowners who have made the commitment to protect these sorts of special pieces of land."
