A Study In Conservation
The Trust Isaac Conservation Park About The Trust Endangered Species Gallery News
The Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust
In 2009 a new trust, The Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust was established and the trust deed, while embracing the purposes and principles of both The Isaac Wildlife Trust and The Diana Conservation Trust, provides a deed which clearly identifies the future direction of the conservation and wildlife activities of the Isaac Conservation estate.
While the The Isaac Wildlife Trust and The Diana Isaac Conservation trusts remain in existence most of the Isaac Conservation Estate assets are now vested and administered through the The Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust.
Beginnings of the Conservation Park
|
| Sir Neil and Lady Isaac, © |
My husband died suddenly and unexpectedly, which gave us no time to talk or plan for the future. We had no children to consider and so because of our great interest in conservation the concept of further development of our existing wildlife park seemed the most productive.
At that time a large block of adjoining land came on the market. As the City Council, Environment Canterbury or the Christchurch International Airport expressed no interest in its purchase, I bought the land. Later the situation clarified in my mind and I saw it as a potential Conservation Park. Funding the development for conservation purposes had to be considered and I realized that it could and probably would take 50 to 100 years and the process would be very expensive, but would serve the Department of Conservation as well as the City, Canterbury and New Zealand.
We had commenced the conversion of quarried land in 1977 when The Isaac Wildlife Trust became a reality. The quarried areas enabled tree planting to take place on low levels with access to water for the roots, and the building of aviaries and predator proof enclosures in natural surroundings with fresh water running through them.
Now, more than 50 years on, the evidence of our intention is apparent and the park is becoming renowned in New Zealand and outside this country.
We have always adopted Best Practice Procedure restoration of the land and to ensure this. The Diana Isaac Conservation Trust has been added to The Isaac Wildlife Trust, both charitable Trusts with dedicated objectives. The Trusts control commercial enterprises, quarrying and construction to provide funds for the many and varied projects including the development of the Conservation Park.
When the Conservation Park idea was developed the relationship with Clearwater Resort and the Trusts treated the entire blocks of land as one block with reciprocal rights. As a founding shareholder in Clearwater and a Director from the beginning I have been able to secure reciprocal benefits for the Park including public access and early rehabilitation of streams on our common boundary.
The Trusts' provision of dedicated objectives and the funding to ensure those objectives are what makes our dream a reality.
Lady Diana Isaac, November 2008