Bellamy into Treetops for Conservation Cause

Veteran conservation campaigner David Bellamy has a treetops stay lined up for his return to Whirinaki in September.
But it's not a climb into the lofty heights as a form of protest reminiscent of the 1980s' battle to stop milling of our native rimu, totara, kahikatea, matai and miro.
For his 2009 visit, Dr Bellamy will be staying in Treetops Luxury Lodge and Wilderness Experience, one of the country's most exclusive retreats on the outskirts of Rotorua.
The world's best-known treehugger is one of the guests of honour for the Whirinaki25 community event over September 4-6 which celebrates a quarter century since the forest giants were legally protected for the enjoyment of generations to come.
The event focuses on the conservation successes achieved in that time and is a major stepping stone to establishing a sustainable eco-toursim industry in the forest.
Both are aspirations which Treetops Luxury Lodge and Wilderness Experience owner John Sax identifies with and supports.
John decribes his own venture as "one man's dream to preserve a piece of paradise for people to enjoy for generations."
That preservation has seen John and his team spend much of the past 30 years protecting the 800-year-old trees on the property and engaging in extensive restoration planting and pest control operations across the 1100 hectare property.
Today Treetops Luxury Lodge and Wilderness Experience caters for people who come from all over the world to immerse themselves in the essential beauty of New Zealand and its unique natural and cultural identity.
It is a model of what can be achieved with persistence and a clear vision and, while inhabiting a completely different tourism niche, it is a pointer to what the majestic Whirinaki can become, and is already on the way towards.
The Whirinaki25 event will mark another major step on the path and, along with David Bellamy literally singing its praises from the Treetops, the weekend of celebration is sure to put a visit to the Dinosaur Forest at the top of many tourists' to do lists in the years to come.

ENDS

For Whirinaki25 event programme details and background information see: http://www.whakatane.com/whirinaki_25.html

Further comment about Treetops Luxury Lodge and Wilderness Experience:
Lisa Ross, Assistant Manager, 07 333 2066