Project Tongariro has established a named endowment fund with the Geyser Community Foundation.
Paul Green, president of Project Tongariro said the Tongariro Memorial Fund is a special and powerful way in which individuals, families/whanau, schools and organisations can support the ongoing projects and activities of Project Tongariro for the long term.
"The Fund is a living legacy to four national park rangers, Williams Cooper, Keith Blumhardt, Derek White, Marie Williams and pilot, Douglas McKenzie who tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash in the park in December 1982.
"The tragedy touched the lives of many people and, in 1984, friends and family came together to create the Tongariro Natural History Society, now known as Project Tongariro, to establish a memorial fund to pay tribute to those who had died, and create a unique, on-going and dynamic memorial.
"Project Tongariro has flourished, surpassing all of our expectations. It has helped fund, undertake and complete a wide range of projects from Ohakune to Taupo, creating a meaningful and long-lasting contribution to the region's conservation, economic and social structure.
"Trustees have established the endowment fund with Geyser because it is also a local organisation working in a very positive way for the long term future of the local community.
"All donations made to the fund, including bequests and endowments in people's wills, will be managed and invested by the Geyser Community Foundation on our behalf.
"Income earned on the capital will be made available to Project Tongariro every year for our four key areas of focus: biodiversity, education, history and recreation."
Mr Green said the annual income will enable continued development of projects and programmes in and around Tongariro National Park, World Heritage Area and in the wider Taupo region.
Donations of any size can be made to the Tongariro Memorial Fund at any time and from anywhere by credit card on Geyser's website www.geysercf.org.nz or on Project Tongariro's website www.tongariro.org.nz
People can also make donations in cash or by cheque for the fund to the Geyser Community Foundation, telephone 07 349 7496 or email annette@geysercf.org.nz.
Geyser will issue official donations receipts to all donors.