Plantings Thriving at Sullivan Farm

On November 11th, we returned to Sullivan Farm near Fox Glacier and Lake Matheson for a maintenance day, ensuring the success of our first-ever planting site for the Okārito Plant Project (OPP).

A dedicated crew came together, including Antje from the Okārito Plant Nursery, Tash from Glacier Valley EcoTours, Paula and Swade from Okārito Boat Tours, and Tania and Maree from Fox Glacier Guides. Armed with tools and enthusiasm, the team cleared weeds and grass from the planted area, giving the native plants the space they need to flourish.

The results of this effort are already showing!

The trees we planted here are thriving, and the area is buzzing with insect life—an essential step in creating a habitat that will soon attract more native birds. This site features a variety of native species chosen specifically for the area, including carex grasses to filter sediment from the waterways, hardy New Zealand flax, shrubs like mingimingi, broadleaf, and wineberries, and even the towering kahikatea, one of our forest giants.

Next time you're heading to Lake Matheson, keep an eye out for the Okārito Plant Project sign on your left!

#OkaritoPlantProject #SouthWestlandNZ #Conservation