Backcountry Trust 2018-19

The Backcountry Trust is a collaboration of Trail Fund NZ, Federated Mountain Clubs and NZ Deer Stalkers. It is primarily funded by DOC to support volunteer-led projects that repair, maintain and enhance backcountry huts and tracks on public conservation land.

The Trust has just released their 2018-19 Performance Report. It’s uplifting reading with just over $300K spent on 27 huts and 15 tracks over the last 12 months. In addition 48 projects were approved worth a nudge over $400K. Grants to mountain bike tracks included the Canaan Downs Loop in Golden Bay, Snowdon Forest near Te Anau, the Wharfedale and Craigieburn in Canterbury, Sharlands Bush and the Hackett in Nelson, Mt Freeth Ridgeline in the Marlborough Sounds, West Okataina and Rainbow Mountain near Rotorua, Whareroa Farm on the Kapiti Coast and the Missing Link on Ben Lomond Reserve in Queenstown.

If your club or group have some tracks in your hood that would enjoy a dose of love, shuffle along to backcountrytrust.org.nz and download the application forms and guidelines. Money can be used for a wide variety of things including materials, digger hire, transport and signage. There's some form filling, cost estimates and Health and Safety hoops to jump through - but with significant funding available it's well worth the effort.