News from General Managers Michelle Worth and Matu Booth
Kia ora koutou,
As of 1 July, Matu and I have stepped into co-leadership roles at The Forest Bridge Trust. Matu has taken on the position of General Manager – Conservation, while I’ve stepped into the role of General Manager – Operations. We’re honoured to follow in the footsteps of Ana Christmas, who has guided the Trust with incredible dedication and vision over the past two years. We’re deeply grateful for the momentum she’s built, the relationships she’s forged and the legacy she leaves. We’re fortunate that she remains closely connected to the Trust in her new role as Strategic Advisor and as a member of our Board of Trustees.
The Forest Bridge Trust has always been about connection — linking people, landscapes, and communities to protect and restore our native ecosystems. Thanks to the continued support of our funders and community, we’re able to carry forward many of the gains achieved over the past five years. This includes ongoing trap maintenance and support for landowners and volunteers in critical kiwi areas, the expansion of the Kiwi Avoidance Training programme and fencing and planting in the Kaipara Moana catchment. These activities have been generously supported by Auckland Council,Rodney Local Board and through a partnership with Kaipara Moana Remediation (KMR).
Through the DOC Community Fund, we are provided with the opportunity to work with the community of South Head. ‘Protecting the Taonga of Te Korowai-o-te-Tonga’ is a community trapping project focused on boosting the survival of three endangered species known to be present in South Head: Tara Iti/Fairy Tern, Matuku Hūrepo/Australian Bittern and Pateke/Brown Teal.
For something a little different later in the year, we’re swapping traps for tees! We’re running a Golf Day Fundraiser at Warkworth Golf Course and hope that you’ll join for a day of friendly competition and fun. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just there for the laughs (and maybe a few lost balls), it’s a great way to support conservation while enjoying the outdoors. Keep an eye on our website and social media for registration details!
As we step into this next chapter, there is renewed excitement that new funding opportunities allow us to continue working alongside the communities of Northern Rodney. The transition away from the security of Jobs for Nature funding has presented challenges for both our community and our organization, but our greatest asset remains our amazing team, whose passion and hard work continue to drive our mission forward every day. Together, we can make a lasting impact for Te Taiao — our precious natural environment. Whether through conservation projects, community-led initiatives, or new service offerings, we look forward to building on the strong foundations already in place and working collaboratively to protect and restore the unique biodiversity of our region.