Connecting NZ Communities with their Land
OUR NURSERY
Nursery volunteer days are open to all members of the public and are held every Tuesday & Wednesday from 9am-12pm during the daylight saving period and 1pm-4pm otherwise.
These volunteer sessions teach propagation/cultivation techniques, leading on to planting and nurturing of the young plants in the wild and is guided by our Nursery Manager. We provide Venus coffee, tea and snacks for all our volunteers and you also get the chance to soak in the views on our deck.
Nursery visits for groups are also available, just ask.
From Waterfall Creek
From the Wānaka - Mt Aspiring Rd, turn into Ruby Island Rd. You can park at the Waterfall Creek if you arrived by car.
Head back towards Wānaka along Roys Bay West on the Glendhu Bay Track. At the far end of the QEII Convenant Kānuka Area, go over the stile and follow signs up to the nursery.
By Bike/Foot - along the Glendhu Bay/Roys Bay Track from town
Bike or stroll along Roys Bay West on the Glendhu Bay Track. After passing the vineyard, go over the stile and follow signs up to the nursery.
Generous support from the Sargood Bequest has allowed the Trust to construct a 1200m2 nursery by the shores of Lake Wanaka, off Mt Aspiring Road, on land kindly leased by John & Jill Blennerhassett. The nursery is nestled in the shelter of an extensive QE2 Covenanted kanuka forest that can be accessed via the Waterfall Creek track.The nursery has raised more than 40,000 plants for habitat restoration projects around Lake Wanaka, Lake Hawea and other local conservation areas. So far, a total of 44 species of native plants have been propagated, all which are sourced from local genetic stock (eco-sourced) and raised on site.
The nursery is managed by our Nursery Manager, and volunteers drop by twice a week to help with propagation and weeding. On site, there is also a shade house area, a lunch deck and a container/office which houses administrative paperwork, brochures and tools.
In 2019, we started the expansion of our nursery, having ran out of space. Thanks to grants from the Sargood Bequest Trust, Central Lakes Trust, Otago Community Trust, Longview Environmental Trust and donations we were able to create a new area and re-organise our nursery.
In 2021, we started the second part of the nursery development in order to improve our facilities. We now have a sheltered area and a second container in which we are making a kitchen and office. The deck is the next project on the cards. This second stage of the nursery development was made possible thanks to the dedication of our volunteers and thanks to the support of Sargood Bequest, Central Lakes Trust, Otago Community Trust, Rotary Club of Wānaka, Sustainable Wānaka and Waste Free Celebrations.
The expanded part of the nursery
(2019)
The nursery with the new shelter and shadehouse (2022)
Nursery from above (Nov.2021)