Environmental stewardship
Leading Environmental Innovation | Protecting ecosystems while contributing to New Zealand's zero carbon future
City Forests demonstrates that sustainable forestry can deliver exceptional environmental outcomes alongside economic returns. Our comprehensive environmental stewardship programme protects biodiversity, sequesters carbon, maintains water quality, and preserves cultural heritage across our 25,187-hectare estate.
Monitoring & Continuous Improvement
Comprehensive environmental monitoring
- Forest health surveys: Annual professional assessment by SPS Biosecurity
- Reserve area inspections: 58 reserve areas assessed annually
- Wilding tree control: Active removal programmes in sensitive areas
- Ecological assessments: Regular fine-level surveys by Wildland Consultants
Adaptive management
Our environmental programme continuously evolves based on:
- Scientific research: Incorporating latest ecological knowledge
- Monitoring results: Adapting practices based on outcome assessment
- Stakeholder feedback: Community and expert input integration
- Industry innovation: Adopting best practice developments
City Forests' environmental stewardship demonstrates that sustainable forestry can deliver outstanding ecological outcomes while providing economic returns and social benefits. Our comprehensive approach ensures that future generations inherit forests that are ecologically healthy, economically viable, and socially beneficial.
Chemical Management & Safety
Minimal chemical use philosophy
- FSC® compliance: All chemicals assessed against 'highly hazardous' pesticides list
- Restricted use only: Limited application of Picloram and Glyphosate for essential weed control
- No prohibited chemicals: Zero use of FSC® prohibited substances
- Continuous evaluation: Ongoing assessment for chemical use minimization
Integrated Pest Management
- TB-free operations: Supporting national bovine tuberculosis eradication
- Professional partnerships: Working with Ospri for authorized pest control
- Targeted applications: Specific forest areas treated according to regional programmes
Soil Conservation Excellence
Advanced soil protection
- Disturbance monitoring: Tracking below 6.35% average across 69 assessed sites
- Compaction minimisation: Heavy machinery management on sensitive areas
- Erosion control: Maintaining tracking below 10% threshold on all harvest sites
- Long-term sustainability: Ensuring soil health for perpetual forest productivity
