1995
Addington Bush Society establishes native bush reserve in Christchurch. The Society grows rapidly with members all over NZ.
1997
NZERN began in Christchurch
as the Bush Society. Its members wanted to establish a mutual assistance network
for people who were carrying out their own ecological restoration
projects. Another aim was to avoid duplication of scarce resources.
In following years, grassroots membership spread to restoration
groups in the rest of the South Island.
2000
NZERN becomes an incorporated society with charitable
status.
2001
Many groups in the Wellington region joined.
2002
Auckland groups join.
2002 - 2003
Initially,
NZERN had great difficulty winning official recognition and raising
funds. This led to many lost opprtunities to consolidate a single
national association early on. Eventually, funding was obtained
to buy equipment and resources.
2003
NZERN National Training Conference in Wellington.
2004
Rapid membership growth and network communication swamps existing capacity of NZERN.
2005
Significant software donations
were received from ESRI and Microsoft in recognition of the pioneering efforts NZERN was making using
the internet to distribute information to aid community led conservation.
2006
NZERN reorganised into three sister organisations,
each with a different role to play.
2007
NZERN Drylands Conference in Christchurch.
2008
Major effort to professionalise NZERN, Bush Telly and ERIS, in order to be able to deliver a high quality service to members who are carrying out conservation projects.