Listen: QE II National Trust celebrates 40 years and 4,400 covenants

A view of the northern portion of the Shields' family covenant. Photo / Supplied

The QE II National Trust has reached a milestone of 4,400 covenants, which is a great way to celebrate its 40th Anniversary.

Chairman James Guild spoke to Jamie Mackay about the thousands of covenants that make up a "kaleidoscope of protected natural areas right throughout the country on private land."

The 4,400th covenant is a salt marsh situated north of Dunedin owned by the Shields family.

Salt herb and glasswort are found on the Shields' family covenant. Photo / Supplied

The Shields purchased the site for conservation and are very committed to protecting the land as it contains a representative range of species found in salt marshes/meadows prior to human disturbance.

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The Shields' covenant protects areas that provide habitats and food sources for birds. Photo / Supplied

The covenant not only covers the land but will also protect areas of open water that provide habitats and food sources for many coastal wading bird species such as pied stilt, South Island pied oystercatcher, and white-faced heron.

Also in today's interview, James updates Jamie on what's in store for the QE II National Trust for the next 40 years.

Listen below: