Conservation and Education
© Raymond Buckmaster / Pukorokoro Miranda Naturalists' Trust

Conservation and Education

Supporting community conservation and environmental education

WWF-New Zealand wants to inspire and enable New Zealanders to care for their habitats and species as part of a healthier society and economy. To help Kiwis rise to the global challenge of how to live sustainably today, without compromising quality of life for future generations. 

We do this by developing partnerships with local councils, iwi, communities and government agencies to increase the effectiveness of conservation at a grass roots level. And providing resources and funding to community-led conservation groups and schools.

© Taranaki Kiwi Trust

Community Conservation Funding

WWF, in partnership with the Tindall Foundation, supports projects that are led by and engage local communities to conserve and restore Aotearoa New Zealand's natural environments and native species.

Many supported initiatives involve youth through hands-on learning opportunities where they can build skills and develop deeper connections with the environment.

Projects we support not only bring people together for a shared conservation goal, but also inspire ongoing environmental action among our local communities.

Our biodiversity is precious, but it is in trouble. The projects we support have a strong focus on protecting our most threatened habitats and species. Together we can have a positive impact on nature.

Find Out More
© Young Ocean Explorers

Environmental Education

To create long term positive change for our environment, it is important to foster changes in our behaviour.

Environmental education is a critical tool to achieve long lasting social change.

WWF-New Zealand supports environmental education in a number of ways.

Teaching the younger generations about the environment, we are helping equip the next generation with the knowledge and values needed to protect the planet.

Providing information, activities and resources to support environment-focused teaching and learning.

Supporting the Mingma Norbu Sherpa Memorial Scholarship that provides financial assistance to students from remote regions of Nepal to study at Lincoln University.

Scholarship information
Resources

Conservation and Education Stories

Read about some of the community conservation and education projects WWF-New Zealand is supporting around the country.

Community groups go bat spotting
Success Story

A Community Comes Together for Pekapeka

Long tailed bats (pekapeka), one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most threatened and least seen native mammals, have been brought into focus for communities across the Mangatarere catchment and the wider Wairarapa.
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Waiheke Marine Project
Success Story

Growing Guardians From Moana to Maunga

Beneath the waters of Waiheke Island and along the slopes surrounding Karioi, community conservation projects are helping young people build the skills, confidence, and connection needed to care for Aotearoa’s environment.
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Anna setting up conifer forest moth trap
Success Story

Night Shift for Nature: Volunteers Watching Over Ben Lomond’s Moths

On the slopes of Te Taumata-o-Hakitekura / Ben Lomond, a community conservation group is caring for the little critters.
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Image of children learning in the forest
Success Story

Teaching the Next Generation of Environmental Guardians

Community groups in Aotearoa are empowering the next generation of environmental guardians by connecting tamariki, rangatahi, and communities with nature through hands-on learning, leadership, and conservation action.
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Image of community planting
Success Story

Community groups restoring freshwater health

Community groups are leading ambitious freshwater restoration efforts.
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Image of a child involved in tree planting and river restoration
Success Story

Reconnecting Whānau and Taiao at Ōpoutama

A community-led conservation project dreamed up more than two decades ago is restoring the mauri of an important awa in Māhia.
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Karioi project.
Success Story

2025/2026 Community Conservation Grants

We are proud to be supporting eighteen community conservation and environmental education projects in 2026.
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Te Kohuroa Rewilding volunteers restoring a rocky reef habitat.
Success Story

Rewilding Auckland's 'blue backyard' through community action

Kelp forests are showing signs of significant regeneration on a stretch of northern Auckland coastline due to community-led action.
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A group of volunteers for a Riverlution event.
Success Story

Celebrating a decade of community conservation in Ōtautahi

A community group in Christchurch is celebrating a decade of conservation work that has transformed a former 'red zone' into a thriving space where “hope is planted in the soil”.
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The community enjoying bird watching at the Tucker Beach Wildlife Reserve.
Success Story

Restoring the wild heart of Queenstown

A once-neglected stretch of land and braided river in Queenstown is being transformed into a thriving nature reserve.
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Taranaki Kiwi Trust Volunteers.
Success Story

From rare to everywhere: protecting Taranaki’s taonga species

Record numbers of brown kiwi are being released back into the wild thanks to collaborative community efforts in Taranaki.
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Group members of Ngahere Korowai.
Success Story

The rewilding of Porirua through community action

A rewilding vision for Porirua East featuring kākā and kererū flying over reforested hills is on its way to becoming a reality thanks to a local men’s group.
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