Celebrate Conservation Week by getting out with whānau on the East Coast

Date:  05 September 2013

The Department of Conservation’s theme for Conservation Week 2013 (8–15 September) is ‘Celebrate Conservation Week: What’s your whānau doing?’ 

This year’s theme focuses on encouraging everybody to get involved in conservation by simply getting out to enjoy our heritage and kicks off with a pest trapping event at Gray’s Bush on Sunday 8 September 2013. 

Department of Conservation Partnerships Ranger, Trudi Ngawhare, says every New Zealand whānau has a stake in protecting what we enjoy about nature now and into the future. 

“Whether you are going for a hunt, bush walk, picnic at the marine reserve or park, reading a book on weta…all are great activities to get out or involved in nature” says Ms Ngawhare. 

If you are stuck for ideas, head to the Conservation Week website for things you can do at home or join a local event including clean ups at Waikanae Stream, Browns Beach and Waipaoa River mouth that double as a celebration for “Keep New Zealand Beautiful Clean up week”. 

Gisborne Mountain Safety Council is running their annual colouring competition for kids which closes Friday 13 September 2013. For those keen to learn about pest trapping head to Gray’s Bush on Sunday 8th from 9 - 11 am. In Te Araroa, the East Cape Hunting and Fishing is hosting avian aversion training for hunting dogs and a quiz night.

Local ambassadors are getting behind Conservation Week including community man Matt Skuse who pledges to take his whānau to his old stomping ground Gray’s Bush where the last one to find a huhu grub has to eat one! 

Hunting Aotearoa host Matua Parkinson pledges to hunt pigs to keep the forest healthy and put food on the table for the whānau. 

“By getting out with the whānau to enjoy our natural heritage, we are more inclined to protect and look after what we love. By teaching our children, we set up a good succession plan for the future” says Ms Ngawhare. 

For more information, and to register your pledge visit www.conservationweek.org.nz and go in the draw to win a trip for four to Great Barrier Island!

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