Our First Day Planting – The Wilderness Tours Regeneration Project
We’ve officially kicked off our first planting day as part of the Wilderness Tours Regeneration Project, and what a day it was. Sunshine, clear skies, a glacial backdrop and our team from Franz Josef Wilderness Tours digging into something much bigger than just tree planting.
Our Mission
This project was born from a desire to give back to the land we live and work in. As a locally owned company, we operate daily in one of New Zealand’s most spectacular natural environments at the foothills of Franz Josef Glacier within the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our focus location, for a start, lies within our Off-Road tour operational sites. The Regeneration Project is our way of ensuring we’re not just enjoying the land, but actively regenerating it. Our mission is simple: to regenerate native bush across our operational footprint and leave more than we take.
Site 1: Off Road Tour Test-Track
Our first site is on the quad bike test track. This is an area we’ve used for years and now want to restore. We spent a few weeks preparing: removing trailer-loads of invasive gorse, sourcing plant mats, protectors, bamboo stakes, and collecting our first batch of native plants from the wonderful team at Ōkārito Native Plant Nursery.
The Planting Day
Planting day got a few team members involved: a kayak guide, boat skipper, quad bike guide, and office manager. Trading paddles and bookings for spades and wheelbarrows. One of the most special moments came when guests on our Off-Road Buggy Tour asked if they could plant a tree too – a spontaneous act that perfectly captured the spirit of this project.
Featured above: A family from our Off-Road Buggy ride that wanted to help plant trees after their tour with us.
We’re planting native grasses, mountain flax, toe toe, astelia, and native iris. These are hardy, beautiful species that support birdlife and help stabilise the land. Over the coming weeks, we’ll continue planting and building on this momentum.
It’s also become a rewarding way to give our guides meaningful work during the quieter season. Regeneration feels good – for the land, and for us.
Learn more about the Wilderness Tours regeneration project, and how you can get involved here:
