{"id":11191,"title":"Fools & Dreamers - The Tale of Hugh Wilson","description":"The tale of Hugh Wilson who has regenerated a valley of native forest. Nurturing it for over 30yrs to return the land to the wild and protect its returning biodiversity.","content":"

In 1987, 109 hectares of degraded farmland was bought on Banks Peninsula, New Zealand. It was a stubbly, gorse ridden piece of land bearing the scars of age-long sheep pasture, but Dr Hugh Wilson saw something different. An opportunity to return the land to nature.<\/p>

Hugh had studied the region as a botanist in 1983 and learned that by 1900 the peninsula had been stripped for farming to just 1% of it's old growth forest. As alarming as this was, he did also discover that native birds, lizards and insects still clung to existence in small pockets of old growth in the gully's and hilltops. When he met the Maurice White Conservation Trust through a chance introduction, the opportunity for Hinewai Nature Reserve took shape.\"\"
The plan was to lend a hand in letting nature restore the land to it's original state, and regenerate the biodiversity that had been lost and is essential everywhere for a healthy planet. All inspired by Hugh's ambition, vision, hard work and expertise as a botanist.<\/p>

With hillsides covered in robust gorse that was the bane of every farmer due to it's difficulty to clear, Hugh's idea initially received derision in the local newspaper as one farmer described it as \"that of fools and dreamers\". Hugh's typically chirpy response was \"I regard that as a compliment! We need a few more fools and dreamers in this world\".<\/p>

This very likeable 'dreamer' forged ahead with what has become his life's passion. Soon after the 109 hectares was purchased, more neighbouring land became available and Hinewai reserve quickly increased ten-fold to over 1000 hectares. \"\"
Working every day to manage the reserve Hugh is at the centre of everything, even now at the age of 76. Attending to wherever he feels is required within the reserve either on foot or his faithful bicycle.<\/p>

He began his dream by surprising the local farmers and leaving the tough, dominating gorse to grow. Hugh had noticed this brute of a weed, the nemesis of many cultivators, was actually a fine nursery for new native plants growing under the cover and protection of the gorse. The new plants and trees would then grow above the gorse into the light and begin killing the gorse off naturally by cutting the sunlight out it needs to survive. Far less effort required and the native forest began to return to Banks Peninsula.<\/p>

\"No one person can solve all these problems. So all the universe can expect of you is to do your best. Your best can be all sorts of scale and we are doing our best here\"<\/p><\/blockquote>

Using what Hugh describes as \"minimal interference management' he allowed nature to take control. With such difficult terrain to access he never considered planting his own trees, he allowed nature to plant the forest back in totally ecological and interesting ways, only aiding it where he felt necessary.\"\"30 years on and the result has been transformational. Native forest has returned and as well as the carbon sequestration benefits, it has provided perfect habitat for returning and increasing biodiversity. The reserve is open to the public and has many trails for nature lovers to admire and enjoy. All thanks to one fools dream.<\/p>

\"If people can look at Hinewai and say 'Gosh, this is succeeding in many lovely ways. I'll do something in my own little corner of the world' I'd be delighted with that.\" - Dr Hugh Wilson.<\/p><\/blockquote>



\"\"


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