Conservation awards celebrate vital role of volunteers
Date: 12 November 2008
Restoring ecosystems, preserving a historic rail icon, promoting heritage trees and reconnecting urban children to local wildlife, are among the projects being undertaken by the seven recipients of this year's Wellington Conservation Awards.
Awarded annually by the Department of Conservation and the Wellington Conservation Board, to acknowledge sustained commitment to volunteer conservation projects, they were presented tonight by the Minister of Conservation Steve Chadwick.
DOC Wellington Conservator Alan McKenzie said the awards acknowledged the important role of volunteers in helping central and local government to enhance and protect our natural and historic heritage.
"The department and the board have a longstanding partnership to acknowledge the efforts of community groups and individuals who give hours and hours of their time for the many projects that are currently being undertaken in their communities.
"They play a vital role, improving the health of ecosystems, enhancing and promoting outdoor recreation opportunities, and protecting our historic heritage for the enjoyment of future generations."
Mr McKenzie said the quality of all 17 award nominations was again outstanding, making it difficult for the judging panel to select just one recipient for each category.
Wellington Conservation Board chair Helen Algar congratulated the award recipients and encouraged the conservation volunteers at the ceremony to get involved in consultation on the Wellington Conservation Management Strategy. The preliminary non-statutory draft will be available at a series of public workshops early next year.
"I urge you to attend these workshops as they will provide your first opportunity to view and input to the strategy which will guide the conservancy for the next 10 years." ENDS