In 1990 Jim Lynch came up with the revolutionary idea of “urban conservation” expressed in a radical plan to “Bring the Birds back to Wellington”. Two years later he came up with the even more daring concept of “community conservation”. His visionary 1992 proposal for the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary (now Zealandia) imagined a predator-fenced, community driven eco-sanctuary, populated with endangered species and located just 2 km from the Wellington CBD.

30 years later, due to the combined efforts of thousands of dedicated people, both initiatives are resounding successes. Natural Wellington and Zealandia have transformed Wellington from a biological cot-case into an international showcase of urban conservation and, inspired by Jim’s vision and Zealandia, community conservation took off around the nation to become the most dynamic area of growth in NZ conservation in recent times.

This book is the story of how one man’s dream became a reality and changed a city and a nation. It is an uplifting account of an unlikely journey; of daring innovation, of the grit and determination of an ever expanding community that seized the dream and pursued it against the odds to build a jewel that will be treasured by generations yet to be born. It is a celebration of the people who made it all happen.

“Jim Lynch is one of those dangerous dreamers who persevere against the odds until their dream becomes reality. His story of Zealandia is the story of a dream come true, of odds overcome; and it is in many ways Jim’s personal story, for Zealandia was his inspiration and his passion, which over the years he has shared with a growing team of people of many and diverse backgrounds and skills, until we have the world-renowned Zealandia of today.”