Conservation organisations and a sustainable business cemented their relationships yesterday when City Forests Ltd donated money to the Otago Natural History Trust through the Department of Conservation.
City Forests chief executive Grant Dodson said the company's relationship with Doc began in the early 2000s when it purchased a pine plantation in the Silverpeaks from Ngai Tahu.
The plantation was beside a native plantation owned by Doc.
The trees were young and boundary lines were not mapped accurately, which resulted in some of the pine forest being in the department's estate.
Both parties reached an agreement for City Forests to harvest all the pine and give their profits to the trust.
The first payment, of $9000, was made yesterday, and Mr Dodson expected them to continue for about 10 years.
"City Forests is very keen to support the Otago Natural History Trust and we see it as an important part of the environment and species preservation work that's going on in the region."
Trust chairman Dr Ralph Allen said the arrangement was "great" and money would go towards operating costs at Orokonui Ecosanctuary.
Doc Otago conservator Marian van de Goes said the organisation had a "great interest in seeing Orokonui successful" and believed it was good City Forests was contributing to the economy in a different way.
