Geoff Proctor of the Butterfly Forest with the sort of creation that could be soon in Natureland. Photo: Sara Hollyman

Natureland butterfly plan on the move

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Natureland may get the wind back under its wings with the addition of a North Island butterfly sanctuary moving one step closer.

The embattled wildlife sanctuary was denied extra funding as part of Nelson City Council’s Long-Term Plan last month, but another group pitched the same LTP to take over or join the Natureland Wildlife Trust.

Three members of Thames-based Butterfly Forest have now been appointed to the trust board.

Glenn Turner, Daniel Adam and Janie Proctor have grand ideas, the first of which will be to relocate their extensive botanical plant and butterfly farm to Natureland.

Chair of the Trust Alan Hinton says the first full meeting with the new trustees won’t be untill August, at which time they will be discussing plans to move forward.

“It’s no secret of the fact that they’re on board to help the trust with the butterfly sanctuary but there’s a significant amount of work to be done to get things ready.”

He says without having held a full meeting to confirm, the intention is to pursue the butterfly idea.

“It would most likely be toward summer of 2020/21 realistically before it would be up and running, it’s going to be a good addition.”

In the meantime, the trust will have to continue operating on the reduced funding from NCC which Alan says will be “the challenge”.

“We just have to cut the costs to suit the income we’re getting and continue working hard to get support from other areas. I think in the long run it will be a good thing.”