A four-way relationship with funders could pay for a full-time manager and pest and weed control at Wanganui's Bushy Park, trust chairwoman Liz Tennet says.
Horizons Regional Council is one of the possible funders and councillors and managers visited the predator-fenced forest sanctuary on Wednesday afternoon.
During the hours-long tour they heard about the endangered bird species introduced there, and the rats discovered inside the fence last year.
Councillor Rod Pearce said the forest was well presented, and Bushy Park volunteers had done a lot of good work.
The Bushy Park Trust has made a submission to Horizons' Long-term Plan, asking for about $20,000 to help with predator and weed control.
The council has previously given it about $5000 a year, plus staff time.
Late last year the trust asked Horizons for a bigger sum - about $80,000 to fund a full-time manager for the sanctuary.
It has since decided on a different plan.
It wants a four-way partnership between itself, Horizons, the Conservation Department (DoC) and Forest & Bird.
The parties would provide funding and practical help toward a manager and pest control for a three-year period.
An expression of interest has been made to DoC's Community Conservation Partnerships Fund, and Forest & Bird has said it will provide support.
"It's not just about money. It's about them understanding that Bushy Park is the most special place in the Horizons Region for biodiversity.
"It's in the top 100 of 1000 biodiversity places in New Zealand," Ms Tennet said.