His family have been farming on Otapiri Farm, at East Limehills in Southland, since 1873 and the place became an important part of their lives, filled with many childhood memories.
So when he took charge of the farm, he knew something was needed to preserve this special place.
Mr Cowie had actively worked to protect this area for about three decades, planting around 1500 natives along a 3.5km stretch of stream bank.
"It has been our family farm since 1873 and each generation has had a love of trees ... so we tried to care and protect them," he said.
His efforts were recognised last week when he won a special award at the New Zealand Plant Conservation Network’s plant conservation awards which honour the country's most dedicated plant conservationists and enablers.
According to the judging committee, Mr Cowie has successfully combined legal protection with active stewardship of the many special areas on his property that included rare riparian forest and dry forest on limestone.
He also fenced many areas along the Otapiri Stream in a manner which recognised the wild and dynamic nature of the stream.
"In so doing he has utilised the role it plays in creating conditions necessary for some of the threatened riparian plants to thrive."
Mr Cowie said he was very pleased with the recognition and hoped the work he done would thrive through generations.
A QEII covenant was placed on the area in 2005 and his son, Andrew had been working with him to make sure the progress was maintained, he said.
"I think it just a recognition that the native fauna can regenerate fairly quickly with better care and you can get a lot of satisfaction in seeing the natives bush came back."
