Dianne and Selwyn June have planted the seed for a new regional conservation-funding initiative.
Their generous donation has founded the Waikato Hauraki Conservation Fund, under the care of Momentum Waikato.
The Deed of Gift for this exciting new Fund was signed at a small Level 3-compliant meet-up at Rotoroa-Hamilton Lake on Thursday 11 November – pictured.
The Hamilton couple have established the Fund to support local charitable conservation groups across Waikato and Hauraki.
Leaders of local conservation groups were asked their views on funding priorities for their voluntary activities. All reported an ongoing need to fill financial gaps between the work areas already covered by the major funders, specifically a lack of start-up funding for new projects, particularly for predator and pest control.
The Waikato Hauraki Conservation Fund will have a funding distribution committee made up of representatives of the donors, major regional conservation science organisations and Momentum Waikato. It will be open for public donations soon, watch this space!
