The trust last week announced $5580 in grants following a charity auction in June.
Wanaka’s M!NT Charitable Trust has received $1000 for a three-day mountain programme based at Cardrona Alpine Resort.
It aims to deliver a safe and supportive environment for those with intellectual disabilities to participate in skiing and snowboarding.
Kahu Youth receives $1500 to support the ‘‘Youth vs Wild’’ programme for local rangatahi.
The intensive two-day programme is loosely based upon the television series Man vs Wild and teaches basic survival skills and participation in thrilling nature activities.
It will be led by professional adventure guides, supported by two youth development workers, and has capacity for 10 young people.
Wānaka Backyard Trapping has won $830 to complete a full circuit of protection, via ground-placed mammalian traps, around Mt Iron.
This will continue the focus of increasing native biodiversity — plants, birds, lizards and invertebrates — through ongoing pest eradication.
Rare endemic wildlife in the reserve includes tomtits, brown creepers, NZ falcons, Kawarau geckos and tussock skinks.
Whenua Iti Outdoors received $1000 towards purchasing a beach wheelchair that can be used at amputee family camps.
Last year Whenua Iti Outdoors ran a camp for 8-12 year olds with physical disabilities and a stand-up paddleboard previously funded by the NZ Mountain Film Festival came into its own, ensuring those tamariki who were not confident or able to paddleboard on their own were still able to experience the joy of being on the water.
The Diamond Lake Conservation Trust received $1250 to help set up a new trapline along the Motatapu River.
Next year’s NZ Mountain Film & Book Festival will be held in Wanaka next year from June 20-24, and in Queenstown from June 26 to 27. It will be the 23rd annual film festival.
