Trees for Trampers

From 1st February 2007, Hiking New Zealand will offer you (the trampers) the opportunity to have a tree planted on your behalf to help counter the effects of your travel. Hiking is a low-impact, energy-efficient, non-polluting way to see the country, but for many, the journey to New Zealand has the highest environmental impact.

Some of you may be aware that Hiking New Zealand was awarded the Service to the Environment Award at the New Zealand Tourism Awards. We are extremely proud of this achievement as it highlights our commitment to preserving New Zealand’s naturally beautiful environment and wildlife. But we’re not in it just for the praise….

Hiking New Zealand was founded with the simple philosophy that tourism should contribute to conservation. During the last 13 years we have donated over $55,000 to the New Zealand Wildlife Research Fund, which contributes towards conservation and research of the playful Hector’s Dolphins. We also incorporate a strict Environmental Care Code (see below) on our hiking safaris and we are now embarking on this new project which will help you contribute directly to preserving the environment for future travellers.

The tree-planting initiative will involve a local New Zealand organisation, Trees for Canterbury, who have planted 500,000 trees in the Canterbury region over the since 1993. With their knowledge of native plants, they will assign a suitable location for the plantings and one tree will be planted per contribution by a Hiking New Zealand representative.

The process of contributing is simple, giving you the opportunity to donate when you make a booking to have a tree planted on your behalf. Trees will be planted on a regular basis, and you can choose how many trees you wish to donate - of course, every small contribution counts. Donations can also be made without a booking by going to our Booking Form and selecting “Plant a Tree”, then following the directions on the form.

We look forward to bringing you news of our progress.

Update - 11 June 2007
Our first 20 trees have been planted. Thanks to the environmentally-conscious trampers who have contributed. We will be sending you photos of your trees being planted.

Keep the orders coming!

 

"Guidelines for New Zealand eco tours from Hiking New Zealand."