Better Later than Never: The Longbush Welcome Shelter Complete!

The Welcome Shelter is an environmental education and volunteering space at the Longbush Eco Sanctuary, near Gisborne, New Zealand.

The Eco Sanctuary is a unique environment, which includes several critically endangered native species. Covering approximately 120ha the ecosanctuary has been rapidly restored through the efforts of Jeremy and Dame Anne Salmond.

With the removal of invasive pests and weeds, alongside the planting of hundreds of thousands of native trees, the diverse ecology at Longbush is beginning to thrive again.

The Welcome Shelter itself is clad in Abodo's Tundra Cladding, a naturally durable heart Douglas fir timber cladding – donated by Abodo Wood.

Tundra provides a unique natural skin, and its low carbon, preservative free state is a perfect fit for an ecosanctuary.

“We are pleased to have made a contribution to this project – which is totally in line with Abodo’s ethos. It is also fit that New Zealand’s leading eco timber cladding is used for such an sensitive environment” stated Abodo’s Marketing Director, Daniel Gudsell.

Each timber enclosure of the Welcome Shelter provides a different service, including the storage of teaching material, ablution facilities and an office for the site ecologist. This office opens up to the exterior with a large drawbridge to create a level platform on teaching and demonstration days.

Another enclosure includes a roof deck from which a stunning view of the valley can be appreciated. Sand Decking timber was donated by Abodo Wood for this purpose. The deck is accessed via a traditionally made greenwood ladder, made from a Manuka tree harvested from the building site.