Hereweka Harbour Cone Trust trustee Paul Pope said he was "pleasantly surprised" by the gift and planned to invest it in further native planting that benefited the biodiversity and landscape of the important area.
"The trust has been slowly protecting and restoring the native flora and fauna to the Otago Peninsula.
"We’re looking forward to using these funds to further build on our work."
MotorSport NZ’s Sustainability Fund was created last year and the Otago Rally was the first event to pledge its support.
The fund aims to deliver environmental projects to offset the carbon dioxide emissions produced in motorsport.
Otago Rally spokesman Roger Oakley said it was also the next step in MotorSport NZ’s goal to achieve a three-star environmental accreditation from the world governing body Federation Internationale de l’Automobile — up from its present two-star status.
He said each competitor at this year’s rally contributed about $50 to offset fuel use across the competition and during the preceding two-day reconnaissance.
"MotorSport New Zealand is looking to support projects which not only achieve carbon capture, but other environmental objectives such as biodiversity and water quality improvements.
"There is also a desire to support projects in the same region as the motorsport event that raised the funding.
"We’re proud to support the work of the Hereweka Harbour Cone Trust in its efforts to re-establish native bush on the Otago Peninsula, which is home to many unique local wildlife."
The fund was an important step from the motorsport community in helping to build a more sustainable New Zealand.
