This small kahikatea remnant was originally fenced off by the landowner back in the 1980’s when approached by Forest & Bird to undertake protection of the area. Southland Forest & Bird provided fencing material and helped the farmer to put up the fence at that time. Then in the late 2000’s the owners decided to protect the area in perpetuity with a QEII Open Space Covenant. It was at this time that the school became involved in the restoration project.

 In 2024 we were nominated for an Environment Southland award, and won the Environmental Action in Education Award. The Environment Southland citation below explains what we do with the support of the landowners and Environment Southland education officers.

Heddon Bush School students are kaitiaki of an area of remnant ancient floodplain forest known as ‘The Donut' which includes matai, ribbonwood and kōwhai trees and a range of threatened and at-risk plant species.

Students have been restoring and looking after this QEII covenanted space located near their school for the past 10 years. The school’s ultimate goal is to restore it back to its original condition.

Engaging in the Enviroschools programme is at the heart of the school’s environmental work.

Students conduct workshops to increase their knowledge on the threatened species while also developing pest traps and planting programmes.

A seed nursery has also been set upon the school grounds by the students.

Tamariki share information and engage with the local community, while also reaching out to local rūnanga.