Biodiversity and Conservation

Learn how to get started in understanding your nature footprint and taking effective action

Discover how to understand your business’s impact on nature and take meaningful steps forward with the Sustainable Business Networks guide.

A guide for community groups and businesses in restoring nature in partnership

A practical guide to help community groups and businesses work together to restore nature.

A guide to reducing your impact on nature

A practical guide to understanding and reducing your impact on the natural environment from Sustainable Business Network.

Volunteering your employee’s time

A Sustainable Business Network guide to volunteering your employee’s time or skills

Check out the local Queenstown Upcoming Volunteer opportunities

Check out the local Wānaka Upcoming Volunteer opportunities

Start regenerating nature in business guide

How to start regenerating nature in business with Sustainable Business Network.

Nature-related Financial Disclosures

The Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures has developed a set of disclosure recommendations and guidance that encourage and enable business to assess, report and act on their nature-related dependencies, impacts, risks and opportunities.

Understand the Importance of Water in our District with WAI Wānaka

Water is an essential element of the unique Upper Clutha ecosystem. Have you ever stopped to wonder where the water in the lakes come from? Or where it goes next? Like us, water is constantly on the move - travelling from the sky, through the land, plants and rivers in a never-ending loop. This is the water cycle. Everything that happens on land impacts the water.

WAI Wānaka are a community, not-for-profit organisation, whose purpose is to accelerate community action for freshwater. If you'd like to understand more about your businesses impact on local waterways, or would like to connect with WAI Wānaka, please contact Michaela Blacklock, Partnerships Lead.

Learn More

Love Wānaka and Love Queenstown Community Funds

Love Wānaka and Love Queenstown provide an opportunity for our business community to come together, leave a legacy we can be proud of, and inspire change the world over.

Their mission is to accelerate grassroots climate, conservation and biodiversity action –bringing our visitors and our visitor industry together to look after the landscapes that define our region and inspire people to return time and time again.

What is Love Wānaka and Love Queenstown?

Launched by Lake Wānaka Tourism and Destination Queenstown in 2023 as part of the region’s regenerative tourism plan, Love Wānaka and Love Queenstown provide a unique opportunity for the visitor industry to come together and look after the environment at the heart of our home.

Raising both funds and awareness for grassroots climate, conservation, and biodiversity initiatives, Love Wānaka and Love Queenstown give local operators a direct way to accelerate local restoration efforts and make a tangible difference.

The real impact is in the collaboration, with over 80 local businesses and more than 1,000 visitors already showing their support and demonstrating that every contribution, no matter how big or small, can make a difference.

Who’s behind these initiatives?

Love Wānaka and Love Queenstown are powered by Lake Wānaka Tourism and Destination Queenstown and are delivered in partnership with the 45South Community Foundation (Registered Charity: CC55258).

On-the-ground support is provided by Ash Bickley, Community Fund Coordinator.

How can my business get involved?

Donate, lend a hand, or partner with Love Wānaka or Love Queenstown for long-term impact. With flexible partnership opportunities, automated online donations, and annual volunteer events, it’s easy to get involved and start making a difference.

Get in touch to discuss options that will work best for your business!

What impact can we see?

Since launching in 2023, Love Wānaka and Love Queenstown have raised over $185,000 for local environmental efforts.

$145,000 has been granted back to the community to support local restoration programmes, more than 9,000+ native trees have been planted with support from industry volunteers, and over 1,085 passionate visitors and businesses have joined the mission.

Where can I learn more?

Check out the Love Wānaka and Love Queenstown websites for all you need to know, or reach out to Ash Bickley, Community Fund Coordinator, for more information.

Business Case Studies

A range of businesses across the Queenstown Lakes District are leading the way in biodiversity and conservation. From native planting projects to predator control and ecosystem restoration, these initiatives show how tourism can give back to nature. Explore the case studies below to see how local businesses are making a real impact.