Connecting people with nature conservation in their communities

Supporting conservation projects in the Nelson Tasman region since 2000​

Tasman Environmental Trust’s purpose is to help protect, maintain, restore and appreciate the Tasman district’s distinctive natural environment. Over the years, our footprint has grown to encompass Nelson and the wider region as well. 

 Our focus

We work with landowners, community groups, volunteers, government agencies and other environmental non-profits to protect and restore estuary margins, forest and wetland remnants, and river margins. This includes restoration planting, controlling pest plants and animals, and helping to negotiate legal protection of important ecosystems. 

We acknowledge the significant role iwi play in our region as mana whenua and major land holders, and we actively seek opportunities to work in partnership with iwi, forging relationships based on mutual respect and trust. 

 Our trustees

TET’s trustees have a wide and deep range of conservation experience. They’re well-equipped to provide information and expertise to community environmental groups.  

With additional skills and experience in science, business, farming, and project and financial management, the Trust is widely representative. This understanding of a variety of viewpoints enables us to work collaboratively with the whole community, including special interest groups, landowners and businesses.  

Our priorities 

The Trust has a proven track record of supporting enduring, large-scale restoration projects in the Tasman region. We have the systems, processes and relationships in place to achieve landscape-scale restoration and transformational conservation outcomes. 

Supporting small and newly-established groups is equally important. These are often localised, grass-roots initiatives with a high level of community buy-in but without the experience and capacity to set up their own management arrangements. Through sharing expertise and resources the Trust can make a real contribution to the long-term viability and success of these micro-projects.  

One important marker of the Trust’s success has been the significant increase in the geographic spread and investment in the region’s community conservation projects. The value of the projects we’ve managed grew more than tenfold in just three years—from less than $300,000 in 2017 to over four million dollars in 2020.

By acting as a connecting hub and brokering collaborations between stakeholders, TET can support positive change for our native species over the long term. 

Traps set
1729
Plants planted
200000
Volunteer Hours
16000

Learn more about the history of the Trust