There are about fifty branches of Forest and Bird. If we all donated $5,000, the lodge could be built. This would be an opportunity for us all to play a part in rebuild.
Forest & Bird » Other
Ruapehu Lodge Rebuild
(8 posts)-
Posted 2 years ago #
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Or what about going out directly to the members to see if they want to donate some money to re-build the loidge. In terms of administration this could be quite time consuming tho ;)
Posted 2 years ago # -
An appeal letter is being drafted and finalised as we speak. As far as I'm aware all members will be informed about donations in the next F&B magazine hopefully. Branches are also being informed about the need for contributions. Not all branches have anywhere near similar savings, so asking for a set amount from them all is a bit problematic. Maybe a % of their savings? - just a totally personal thought, BTW!!
Posted 2 years ago # -
Another factor of course is that a heck of a lot of the people who use the lodge are not F&B members, and I'm sure many of them could (and maybe should?) be approached for support and help also.
Posted 2 years ago # -
The lodge is interesting because it is not a core conservation activity for the Society but it has been a wonderful way to get members and children and even non-members as noted above into New Zealand's oldest national Park. I understand an appeal is going out to all members and users of the lodge and hopefully they will be generous - at this time of recession. But the annual report shows that branches have between them about $3 million in cash reserves. If the branches and the members their committees represent really want the lodge one would hope that each one might be prepared to contribute 10% of their funds which would cover the shortfall and emable the Society to build a lodge that will be a real asset for generations to come - just as the previous one was. So come on you members - let your branch committee know you want the lodge rebuilt!
Posted 2 years ago # -
An appeal letter arrived at my place just yesterday; I'm guessing it probably went out to all members and supporters possibly (apparently F&B has nearly as many supporters as members now, though I may stand corrected on that), and I also see they now have an appeal here on the website
http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/what-we-do/lodges/ruapehu-lodge/ruapehu-lodge-appeal
It seems only fair to me that the branches with money make funds available as well, after all the branches have a responsibility to use the money they've been given for conservation.Posted 2 years ago # -
Another appeal email was sent out to members today:
12 October 2009 – Wellington
Forest & Bird media release for immediate use
Forest & Bird launches appeal to rebuild Ruapehu lodgeINDEPENDENT conservation organisation Forest & Bird has launched an appeal to raise funds to replace its Ruapehu lodge, which burnt down last October.
The conservation charity was left with a $300,000 shortfall to rebuild the lodge after receiving an insurance payout. The new lodge will cost about $1 million to rebuild – using environmentally sustainable materials and meeting building and fire protection standards.
The original lodge, at Whakapapa Village, was used by thousands of people for more than 40 years as an affordable base for exploring Tongariro National Park, for nature study trips and for skiing. Many school and community groups – as well as Forest & Bird members – stayed at the lodge.
Forest & Bird General Manager Mike Britton says he received calls from people around New Zealand saddened by the loss of the Ruapehu lodge. “They had wonderful memories of the lodge – sometimes shared by generations of the same family – and passed on their hopes that another lodge would be built.
“We are privileged to have a site in a national park to build a nature lodge. It’s a perfect place for parents to introduce their children to a special New Zealand landscape. People enjoyed our forest lodge for more than 40 years, and we’d like to give future generations the same opportunity.”
An architect has drawn up plans for a new lodge, and Forest & Bird members have already donated to the appeal.
The original lodge opened in 1966 after 6000 pounds was raised from donations. Many Forest & Bird members volunteered their time to help build and finish the lodge.
The cause of the fire that destroyed the lodge at the end of Labour Weekend last year was never determined. The Department of Conservation has given permission to rebuild on the same site in the national park.
Contact: Forest & Bird General Manager Mike Britton, 04 801 2216, 021 783 776Posted 2 years ago # -
Hopefully, photos of the lodge before and after the fire, and an artist's impression of the re-buil...
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Ruapehu_Lodge_artist_s_impression170(1.jpg (26.7 KB, 0 downloads) 2 years old - RuapehuLodge(5).jpg (93 KB, 0 downloads) 2 years old
Posted 2 years ago # -
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