The Styx Living Laboratory Trust has been established to oversee the development of the Styx Living Laboratory, one of the cornerstones of the Styx Vision 2000 - 2040.  Objectives of the Styx Living Laboratory Trust include raising awareness of the Styx River and its environs along with maximising opportunities for  research and learning.

Research and learning is a continuation of the work commenced by Dr Leonard Cockayne (1855 - 1934),  one of Christchurch's early leading botanists of international repute. In the early 1900's, he purchased a 15 acre property on Highsted Road, which he named Dilcoosha. Here he assembled a collection of more than 1,200 plants, including many alpine grasses. Thelma Strongman, a local historian,  described this property  as a "Living Laboratory."  The Styx Living Laboratory Trust sees its work as an extension of the work previously begun by Dr Cockayne with the concept being expanded to include the whole river system.

The Trust has established a number of activities that progress learning and research in the Styx catchment.  They include the community monitoring programme, the Styx Living Laboratory Summer Student Scholarships, and hosting Royal Society Teacher Fellows. The Trust has also organised or been involved in a range of events that raise awareness about the Styx River ecosystem.