Wild Waikawa Conservation Trust

Wild Waikawa is an ambitious restoration project led by Michelle Clark and Nigel Muir covering a 200-hectare Significant Natural Area at the head of Boons Valley, Waikawa, with a mission spanning 400 years to recreate the ancient natural wonderland. With a grassroots approach, the project focuses on creating a safe wildlife corridor, deeply connecting people and nature, conservation trainee workplacement supporting training organisation partners, and making a difference locally, nationally and globally through volunteerism events and residentials. Conservation work includes trapping and predator control, wilding pine control, wasp bait placement, and flora propagation and planting, with every act an advocacy to support precious native treasures to thrive. Wild Waikawa won the Landscape and Habitat category of the 2025 Port Marlborough Environment Award, celebrating significant community support and participation with Te Ātiawa Iwi, Waikawa Marae, and local partners.