Dave Crouchley | Individual Environmental Leadership or Action

As project coordinator for Te Waiau Mahika Kai Trust, Dave Crouchley is helping the Trust to achieve its habitat restoration and community goals.
Dave manages the site work at Te Kōawa Tūroa o Takitimu (445ha) near Blackmount. Broom and wilding conifers, along with animal pests (especially feral pigs) are significant issues for the project. During the past three years Dave has been working with the Trust to establish a comprehensive ecological and mahinga kai restoration programme as part of their 2020-30 Strategic Vision.
A work programme of extensive native tree planting and pest control has been established to restore wetland and native forest habitats. Dave has played a key role in turning the Trust’s vision of restoring the site’s mauri and ecosystems for future generations into real progress on the ground. He has organised many planting bees with locals, schools and other Southland groups, which have planted thousands of native trees, continuing the work of many people before him.
Dave previously worked for the Department of Conservation for many years, leading several threatened species, island eradication and pest control projects in Fiordland. This has enabled him to bring a wide range of conservation experience to the project. His knowledge and skills in developing practical, effective and efficient solutions to conservation challenges has greatly helped the Trust.