Celebrating our Volunteers at an end of Summer BBQ

There’s something special about bringing people together to celebrate a shared purpose, and that’s exactly what we did at our recent Forest Bridge Trust Volunteers BBQ.

Held on a beautiful sunny evening, the event was our way of saying a heartfelt thank you to the incredible volunteers who give their time, energy, and passion to protecting and restoring the land across The Forest Bridge. Whether they’re out checking traplines, recording data, supporting events, or advocating for nature in their own communities, our volunteers are at the very heart of everything we do.

It was fantastic to see a mix of familiar faces, those who have been with us for years, alongside new volunteers just beginning their journey with The Forest Bridge Trust. Events like this are a great reminder that conservation is a collective effort, built on connection, shared learning, and a genuine care for the environment and each other.

Our team were there in full force, creating space for meaningful kōrero and knowledge-sharing. Michelle, our Head of Operations, Matu, General Manager of Conservation, Cam and Alex from our Pest Control Team spent time connecting with volunteers, answering questions, and sharing insights from their work across the landscape. These informal conversations are invaluable, offering a chance to dive deeper into the “why” behind our work, as well as the “how”.

Charlie was also on hand supporting volunteers with TrapNZ troubleshooting, helping ensure everyone feels confident using the tools that support their trapping efforts.

With a BBQ sausage in hand, (thanks to Cam for manning the grill!), there was also an opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come over the past year. Our work continues to evolve, with new and exciting projects emerging, including our growing focus on pekapeka (long-tailed bat) monitoring. Sharing these updates face-to-face helps connect volunteers to the bigger picture and shows how their individual efforts contribute to something much larger.

Importantly, the evening wasn’t just about us sharing updates, it was also about listening. Volunteers were encouraged to share their thoughts, ideas, and experiences, including what they’d love to see more of as part of their volunteering journey. These insights are incredibly valuable as we continue to shape and strengthen our programme.

One of the highlights of the evening was hearing about the diverse skills and experiences our volunteers bring from their day-to-day lives. From practical know-how to professional expertise, there is a wealth of knowledge within our community.

And then, of course, there were the now-famous chocolate rats. A huge thank you to Tracy for bringing along these creative (and delicious!) treats, which quickly became a talking point and a crowd favourite.

Events like this remind us that while the work we do is serious and important, it’s also about connection, enjoyment, and celebrating the people behind the impact.

To all of our volunteers, thank you. Your commitment is what makes this mahi possible. Together, we are creating a thriving corridor where native species can flourish, and people can truly connect with nature.

Ngā mihi nui