SIGN UP to our monthly newsletter to hear all of Adam's hot tips on planting

TAGS

Balancing Productivity and Biodiversity on Your Farm

At Restore Native, we understand the delicate balance between maintaining productive farmland and restoring biodiversity. As farmers ourselves, we know the importance of making the most out of your land while also doing right by New Zealand’s environment. Here’s how we’re achieving this balance on our own farm and how you can, too.

Retiring Land Back to Nature

There are areas of your farm that may not be ideal for farming, but they can be perfect for restoring native biodiversity. For example, land near waterways or steep areas can be better suited for native planting rather than stock grazing. On our farm, we’ve fenced off areas near a waterway where steep slopes lead into a creek. These are the types of areas we’re choosing to retire from farming and return to native plants.

We’ve under-planted these retired areas with regenerating native species that complement the existing larger trees, like Kahikatea. By doing this, we’re enhancing the health of the land, improving water quality, and supporting local wildlife.

Maximizing Productive Land

On the other side of the farm, we’ve kept the land actively in production. Here, we can grow silage, graze cows, and use machinery like tractors and fertiliser trucks without compromising the land's productivity. This allows us to generate income while maintaining a sustainable farming operation.

By carefully planning where we retire land back to nature and where we keep the land productive, we’re making the most of both worlds—supporting biodiversity while maintaining farm profitability.

Creating a Sustainable Future for Farming and Biodiversity

The key to success is balancing the needs of your farm with the environmental responsibilities we all share. At Restore Native, we offer expert advice and full services to help farmers implement native planting and restoration on their land. Whether you're looking to restore a small patch of your farm or retire larger areas back to nature, we can guide you through every step of the process.

If you’re interested in learning how to find the balance between productivity and biodiversity, get in touch with us. As farmers who are passionate about both productivity and the environment, we’re always happy to share our experiences and help others achieve the same results.



 

This product has been added to your cart

CHECKOUT