He has kept meticulous records of predators caught, with more than 100,000 pests removed to date, and ensured funds are efficiently used to support the Trust's activities.
The Trust's activities have seen kōkako and toutouwai (North Island robin) reintroduced successfully, and plant species such as the Northern Rata have recovered. The Trust received the Northland Regional Council Enviro Award in 2020.
Wilson has placed part of his farm under QEII covenant and has opened public access to Puketi Forest through his property. Wilson was a committee member of the Far North branch of Forest and Bird for more than 30 years until recently retiring.
But despite his efforts, Wilson was quick to deflect praise to others, saying his wife June had been particularly supportive and if it were not for her - and her computer skills - he would not have been able to do much. He also credited the many volunteers who put in the work to get the birdsong back into Puketi Forest.
He said everybody can do their bit, no matter how small it may seem, to preserve and enhance New Zealand's natural environment. He encouraged people to put their native bush blocks under a covenant, such as QEII, to ensure it's saved for future generations.
Wilson said anybody can help conservation by thinking about the environment and how they can make it better.
''Get rid of the possums and rats around your place, they are big pests, and get rid of any pest plant species - they are not good for our environment.''
Wilson said when he arrived in Northland in the 1980s Puketi Forest was alive with birdsong, with more than 100 kōkako established, and many other native birds. But possums, rats and other predators quickly turned it into a got forest, with very little birdsong.
Now, thanks to the efforts of Wilson, and others, it is alive with native birds again - and that is probably his proudest achievement, bringing the birds back.
''New Zealand is such a special place, with so many native species that are unique to here - and hearing all the birdsong again is just amazing.''
Wilson said his interest in the conservation of trees started when they bought the farm in Northland in 1980. He had been farming in Waikato where trees were considered to be taking up space and should be removed. But a talk with a botanist, who convinced him of the importance of trees, changed his mind - and he's been protecting them ever since.
