Tumbleweed Conservation Fund
Sales from adult t-shirt designs without a partnership donate to the Tumbleweed Conservation Fund, which we then distribute to a conservation project that we choose twice a year (formally every quarter).
How we choose our Tumbleweed Conservation Fund recipients.
- Because our partner tees often benefit the more charismatic, “flagship” species e.g. kiwi, kakapo etc. we use the conservation fund for those species/causes that struggle to get as much attention. For instance – more obscure sea birds, invertebrates, bats etc.
- Local, smaller projects that the fund will make more of a difference to. e.g. local restoration projects, replanting, protection of breeding grounds etc.
- Urgency of conservation concern – e.g. an area facing immediate threat that needs funding urgently.
If you would like to nominate a project or trust to either receive the Tumbleweed Conservation Fund or be partnered with a relevant design, please email us
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25 Nov 2022We donated 10% of full RRP value of all orders made on 25/11/22 as well as providing 10% off storewide. This amounted to $482.38, which we then split between our conservation partners |
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Oct 2022 - Mar 2023The shore plover/tūturuatu is the world’s rarest plover, with just 250 adults left. NZ Nature Fund is supporting the DOC project to release juvenile shore plover/tūturuatu on Waikawa, and Motutapu Island in the Hauraki Gulf. To do this they need to monitor and manage breeding to maximise success, including translocations of new birds to the motu. Photo credit: Glenda Rees |
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Apr 2022 - Sep 2022A non for profit environmental freshwater education programme run under the Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust. They focus on education for communities and schools alongside restoration work for freshwater habitats. |
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Oct 2021 - Mar 2022Tamatea/Dusky Sound Restoration Overall the Tamatea/Dusky Sound restoration plan has been developed by DOC with the ambitious goals of eradicating pests, re-introducing missing species and filling biodiversity information gaps in the area. The project area includes Breaksea Sound, Acheron Passage, Wet Jacket Arm, and Dusky Sound itself, including over 700 islands, including New Zealand’s fifth largest island, Resolution Island. Photo credit: Pure Salt. |
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Apr 2021 - Sep 2021An island of restoration. Rotoroa’s conservation philosophy is simple ‘Back to basics’. Building on the knowledge of other restored islands in Tikapa Moana (the Hauraki Gulf) – they know that NZ native species are very resilient and adaptable. If their key threats – predators - are removed, our taonga species will thrive. |
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26 Nov 2021We donated 10% of full RRP value of all orders made on 26/11/21 as well as providing 10% off storewide. This amounted to $451.60, which we then split between our conservation partners |
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Apr 2020 - Mar 2021Kaikōura Wildlife Centre Trust, funding the Kaikōura Wildlife Hospital project build The Kaikōura Wildlife Centre Trust will oversee the Kaikōura Wildlife Hospital project build, an ambitious undertaking to establish a $6 million world-class wildlife rehabilitation facility in Kaikōura - a biodiversity hotspot and the seabird capital of the world. |
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Oct 2019 - Mar 2020Southland Branch - Forest & Bird The Southland Branch of Forest & Bird branch stretches to the Catlins in the east, Te Anau in the west and up through central Southland to Queenstown. Two large hands on projects for Southland Branch members and supporters are – Te Rere yellow eyed penguin reserve and Tautuku Forest cabins and Lenz Reserve. Additionally the Branch runs a programme of monthly trips and talks. |
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Apr - Sept 2019Orange-Fronted Parakeet/Kākāriki Conservation partnership of DOC & Christchurch Helicopters Christchurch Helicopters has partnered with the New Zealand National Parks & Conservation Foundation (NPCF) and the Department of Conservation to help save the endangered orange-fronted kakariki (parakeet). Christchurch Helicopters is helping DOC in a number of ways. Not just fundraising through events and promotions but practical support too, helping DOC workers with transport to and from the areas where this beautiful little bird lives. |
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Oct 2018 - Mar 2019Project Tongariro - Whio Creche This donation goes towards the running of the Whio Creche at the Tongariro National Trout Centre. |
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Apr - Sept 2018Hihi Conservation Charitable Trust The Hihi Conservation Charitable Trust was established in 2018,
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Second half 2017The Wildlife Hospital, Dunedin is based at Otago Polytechnic. It’s the only facility of its kind, in the South Island of New Zealand – home to some of the world’s most unique and most threatened species. We treat a wide variety of animals, including native birds, penguins, seals, and sea lions. The hospital is crucial for the survival of many of these creatures. |
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First half 2017MIRO - Mainland Island Restoration Operation MIRO (Mainland Island Restoration Operation) is a volunteer group who work in partnership with Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) in the East Harbour Regional Park (EHRP).
Vision
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Fourth quarter 2016 RecipientThe Pirongia Te Aroaro o Kahu Restoration Society is a very worthy recipient of the fund because of your huge efforts being made to reintroduce kōkako to Mt Pirongia. This project must take a large amount of volunteer predator control, great organisation skills and much funding to be realised. |
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Third quarter 2016 RecipientSplit between: Mohua Conservation (Forest & Bird) |
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Second quarter 2016 RecipientThe Friends of Baring Head Trust is a deserving recipient of the Tumbleweed Conservation Fund, and we hope this donation assists in supporting their Biodiversity Action Plan, which seems to be well under way with the impressive list of threatened and at risk species that are already benefiting from the trusts work. |
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First quarter 2016 RecipientThe Northern New Zealand Seabird Trust is a very deserving recipient and we hope that donation can help their work with the Buller's Shearwater on the Poor Knights Islands, Mataouri. |
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Fourth quarter 2015 RecipientSociety for Conservation Biology - VUW The Society for Conservation Biology is an excellent recipient of this fund. The local focus of your chapter projects in & around Wellington promote scientific study & practise of conserving biological diversity. |
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Third quarter 2015 RecipientNew Zealand Fairy Tern Charitable Trust The New Zealand Fairy Tern Charitable Trust is a very deserving recipient of this fund. Being NZ's rarest breeding bird, the beautiful NZFT deserves all the help it can get. We want to recognise the great work that the NZFTCT has done to participate in the New Zealand Fairy Tern Recovery Plan, promoting public awareness and education of the NZFT's plight and to continue to help ensure the survival of this beautiful, little, endemic bird. |
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Second quarter 2015 RecipientHutton's Shearwater Charitable Trust With past declines, and many current threats to the Hutton's Shearwater populations, the work of the largely volunteer based HSCT is crucial to the survival of this species. We want to recognise the great work that the HSCT has done to promote research, education and public awareness of this unique, endemic bird's situation. |
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First quarter 2015 RecipientFor the conservation of black-billed gulls, which are endemic and in decline. Because our partnered tees often benefit the more charismatic, “flagship” species e.g. kiwi, kakapo etc. one of the main aims of setting up this fund was to support those species like the black-billed gull, that struggle to get as much attention. |
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Fourth quarter 2014 RecipientBy raising public awareness through community focussed info stands and art projects and actively lobbying for protection of these endangered species, Maui and Hector's Dolphin Defenders are a force for good. |
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Third quarter 2014 RecipientWe feel that WWF is an ideal recipient. By engaging public awareness through an approachable app and ongoing education programs you remain a huge protector of our endangered dolphins. The potential for information gathered from the public’s use and engagement with the Maui’s app is huge and we hope that our contribution can help you to continue this work. |