Fools and Dreamers – Film Screening

Regenerating a Native Forest.

Back by popular demand!

Otago Museum, in collaboration with Orokonui Ecosanctuary, invites you to discover the story of Hinewai Nature Reserve on Banks Peninsula, and its transformation from farmland back into native forest that has created a haven for our treasured endemic species.

Hugh Wilson has been the kaitiaki/manager of Hinewai for 30 years, overseeing the regeneration of native canopy through a minimal interference method, allowing invasive gorse to grow as a nursery plant for self-sown native trees. At first people were skeptical of his plan, referring to it as something that only "fools and dreamers" would think of. Now, Hugh is considered a local hero, after giving life to more than 1500 hectares of native forest which is abundant with wildlife.

The 30-minute documentary will be preceded by a 15-minute talk from a guest speaker who has been involved in a similar project closer to home at Orokonui Ecosanctuary. View the documentary here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3WmuFHdipU

50% of proceeds from ticket sales will go to supporting Orokonui Ecosanctuary.
The total run time is approximately 45 minutes.
Image supplied by Jordan Osmond.