Robert Logan – environmental visionary
Passionate campaigner for Wellington's south coast environment who disappeared without trace in 2010. Have a look at a small selection of Robert's photographs of the area; click one of the links below. Please note: the captions to the photos were written by volunteers and are not guaranteed to be 100% accurate or comprehensive. If you recognise someone who is not named, or have any relevant information about the subjects, please let us know by clicking on the Contact link on the header, contact Ian Logan, and quote the photo ID number.
The photos have been arranged in groups for each of these categories:
- Long Gully Reserve achieved
- Paekawakawa Reserve
- People saving the south coast environment
- Southern Environmental Association (SEA) beginnings – Halting the Quarry
- South Coast Fauna
- South Coast Flora
- South Coast Scenic Views
- Tawatawa Reserve
You may also visit the Society’s facebook pages.
For information about the Tawatawa flats area:
https://www.facebook.com/tawatawasea
For information about the Paewakawaka reserve:
https://www.facebook.com/PaekawakawaReserve
PASSION AND INSPIRATION – THE PLACES ROBERT LOGAN LOVED
(Press release for the 2020 Exhibition)
The hidden beauty of Wellington’s south coast that lawyer and ecological activist Robert Logan fought to preserve was celebrated in a stunning collection of his photos exhibited in Island Bay from the 6th to the 10th of October 2020.
The exhibition was sparked off by 2020 being ten years since his disappearance without trace on the south coast in August 2010.
This photo exhibition was a visual reminder of Robert Logan’s love of the natural world and his unstinting battle to preserve this for future generations.
The focus of the exhibition was on where Robert grew up and focussed his efforts – Wellington’s dramatic and wild south coast from Island Bay to Makara.
Born in Island Bay and educated as a lawyer his private and public life met in his love and protection of this land where he grew up: a landscape with ecosystems that he saw threatened by unfettered development and thoughtless exploitation of natural resources.
His life’s work provided significant open spaces for people to enjoy as well as creating a community of people who continue now to plant, maintain and care for the reserves he created.
His ideas of planting trees and keeping sufficient untouched nature have now, in this era of climate change, become part of the common currency in today’s world.
His walking expeditions took him to the furthest corners of the south coast, reaching inland streams that reveal a forest beauty that few would know exist. Along the way he documented these taonga of nature with his photos and it is a selection of these that have been chosen for this exhibition.
Other aspects of his journey covered in this exhibition include the campaign to close the quarry near Red Rocks (Pariwhero), the planting of Tawatawa reserve above Owhiro Bay and the development of Paekawakawa Reserve above Derwent Street in Island Bay.
Robert Logan – and the many who came to help him along the way – have changed the landscape of Wellington for the well-being of future citizens.
This exhibition would surprise and delight with the beauty that is to be found on the South Coast as well as raise awareness that without community awareness and action much could still disappear forever.
This exhibition was held at the Presbyterian Church Lounge, 88 The Parade, Island Bay from 10.30 am to 6pm from Tuesday 6th October to Saturday 10th October 2020 inclusive.