Conservation
Managing Our Forests for the Long Haul
Managing our forests is a solemn and long-term commitment. It starts with seedlings. We plant more than 600,000 young trees each year, and for every mature tree harvested, four seedlings are planted in its place, each one by hand. Afterward, we monitor their growth to ensure they are strong and vigorous. As the young forest grows, we periodically thin it out to promote growth and remove diseased trees.
When the time for final harvest arrives, a Blakely Pacific forest manager develops a harvest plan that minimises the impact on wildlife and the environment. The plan sets a course to protect the soil and prepare the site for the planting of the next forest.
Environmental Monitoring
Blakely Pacific, Ltd., is committed to maintaining a high standard of environmental performance. We operate in accordance with the guidelines and rules stipulated in the New Zealand Environmental Code of Practice for Plantation Forestry. And our operations are closely monitored.
We monitor stream water quality, protected native forest remnants, and wilding pine spread risk. In addition, we provide in-kind and financial assistance to many environmental organisations whose core focus is on monitoring, protecting and researching rare, threatened, and endangered species that depend on our plantation forest environment.
We're constantly striving to improve our environmental performance. A detailed summary of our current monitoring activities can be viewed at any company office.