At Metalbird, we don’t just make birds out of steel.
We put real ones back in the sky.
That’s not marketing gloss. It’s a commitment.
Part of every bird you buy funds conservation projects around the world... from protecting endangered species to planting native trees to restoring habitats.
But here’s the thing:
Not all causes are created equal.
So how do we decide where the money goes?
How do we choose who to back?
We thought it was time to be honest about how this part of the business works.
We Get Asked This a Lot
Customers often ask:
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"Where does my money actually go?"
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"How do you pick your partners?"
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"Is this just a PR thing?"
Fair questions.
Because let’s face it... plenty of companies slap a "for the planet" badge on their packaging and call it a day.
That’s not what we’re doing.
For us, conservation isn’t a sideline. It’s part of the Metalbird DNA.
Why We Support Conservation
If you’re going to make birds out of steel, you should probably help keep real birds alive too.
It’s that simple.
We love birds. We love the wild. And we love the idea that art can do more than decorate a garden... it can fund real, muddy-boot work on the ground.
How We Choose Who to Support
We don’t pick causes by spinning a wheel or chasing headlines.
Here’s our checklist:
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Local Impact
We back regional and local conservation groups because they know the land.
They know:
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Where the nesting grounds are
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Which species are most at risk
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What habitats need restoring
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How to get the job done
Big global charities have their place, but we prefer grassroots where possible.
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Real Action, Not Just Awareness
Awareness is great, but we look for projects that actually do stuff.
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Planting native trees
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Protecting breeding sites
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Running rescue and rehab programs
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Removing invasive predators
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Restoring wetland and forest habitats
If the group’s getting dirt under their fingernails, we’re in.
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Conservation That Lasts
We don’t believe in quick fixes.
We want long-term impact... not just photo ops.
That means working with organisations that think about:
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Ecosystem health, not just individual species
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Sustainable funding, not just one-off events
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Community involvement, so locals become guardians
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Transparent Use of Funds
We need to know where the money goes.
No black holes. No vague reports.
We ask:
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What will our support fund, exactly?
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How is success measured?
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Can we see the results?
We’re happy to fund nests, trees, traps, signage, education, or salaries for people doing the work... but we need clarity.
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Who We’ve Partnered With
Here are some of the groups we’re proud to back:
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BirdLife International – A global leader in bird conservation, protecting critical habitats and endangered species.
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Forest & Bird (NZ) – Defending native bush and wildlife since 1923.
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WIRES (Australia) – Wildlife rescue legends who step up during fires, floods, and day-to-day animal emergencies.
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American Bird Conservancy – A US-based group fighting to protect migratory birds, stop extinctions, and conserve habitats.
Why We Don’t Partner With Everyone
Sometimes we get approached by groups that sound great... but don’t quite fit.
Maybe they’re too new and still figuring things out.
Maybe their mission is broader than birds and habitat.
Maybe they can’t show us where the funds would go.
That’s okay.
We’re not in the business of spray-and-pray donations.
We’re in the business of targeted support that works.
How You’re Part of It
When you buy a Metalbird, you’re not just buying a gift or a piece of garden art.
You’re funding real conservation work.
It’s baked into the business model... not a bonus, not an afterthought.
Some examples:
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Our Pūtuketeke limited edition bird funded wetland restoration and habitat protection.
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Our Memorial and Conservation collections always direct funds to bird-saving projects.
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Every general order still supports our broader conservation partnerships.
And all of this is done using Corten steel with a protective patina that seals and protects the bird. That surface rust saves the metal underneath, creating a finish that evolves with the seasons but never falls apart... just like conservation work, it’s about resilience and lasting impact.
Why We Share This
Because it matters.
People want to know where their money goes.
We’re not shy about saying: it goes to the birds.
Literally.
It goes to real birds, real trees, real conservation work in the places that need it.
What’s Next?
Conservation is ongoing.
We’ll keep backing groups that:
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Know their stuff
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Do the work
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Share the wins and the challenges with us
And we’ll keep reporting back to you when something great happens.
Want to Help?
If you’ve bought a Metalbird, you already are.
If you want to add another to your garden... or send one as a gift... know that you’re also sending a little extra love to the wild.
Find your bird here.
Bird by bird. Tree by tree. That’s how change happens.
Suggested Image:
Behind-the-scenes shots of conservation work: a volunteer planting trees, someone checking a bird nesting box, muddy boots next to a Metalbird box ready to ship. Real, unfiltered moments... not posed PR shots.