Date:  12 October 2017

People of all ages are encouraged to take a look in their back yard this Conservation Week to see how they can help protect and nurture our amazing and unique wildlife.

Conservation Week runs from Saturday October 14 to Sunday October 22. This year DOC  is trying to get people to convert their love of nature into action.

“We know from surveying, that 85%* of New Zealanders rate conservation as important to them personally, yet still only about one in ten have actively helped on a conservation project,” says DOC Auckland Senior Community Ranger Kat Lane.

“We want to show people that conservation can be done in your own back yard, gardens, parks and marine areas. Even small actions make a big difference.”

“Our predator-free vision of ridding the country of rats, stoats and possums by 2050 starts in your own back yard. It’s great to see momentum gathering as more communities band together to make their own areas predator free.”

“Getting out and taking care of our nature also has the added benefit of improving health and wellbeing, so it’s win-win,” says Kat Lane.

“It’s great to see DOC’s partners also getting involved in Conservation Week. This includes Genesis Energy, who are encouraging kids to take part in a national competition with its Whio Boot Camp online game. As well as being fun, the game teaches players how a whio lives in the wild, eating, running rapids and hopefully avoiding predators.

“Toyota New Zealand are also getting involved. Our Toyota Kiwi Guardians programme connects kids with nature and rewards them with medals. Conservation Week marks the launch of our new waterways clean-up medal, Toa Tiaki Wai.”

Tāmaki Makaurau/ Auckland has plenty of activities that make it easy for people to get involved in conservation. Here’s a selection of the Conservation Week events in the region.  

Conservation Week events: Tāmaki Makaurau/ Auckland 

• Free Guided Tours of North Head Sunday October 15, 1pm & Fort Takapuna Sunday October 22, 11am and 1pm. Tours led by local historian Dave Veart.

• Auckland Whale and Dolphin Safari are holding two special open mornings on Saturday October 21 and Sunday October 22 from 9am-12:30pm on board their boat Dolphin Explorer at the Viaduct Harbour. They have been supporting marine research in the Hauraki Gulf for many years. Meet their marine researchers, DOC’s Auckland Marine Ranger Gabrielle Goodin and DOC marine scientist and shark expert Clinton Duffy to learn more about the marine research and conservation  happening in the Hauraki Gulf.

• Harbourview Beach Spring Clean Up at Harbourview Peoples Park Te Atatu Saturday October 14: 9.30am-12:30pm. Forest & Bird's annual rubbish clean up along the beach coastline of Harbourview Park in Te Atatu Peninsula

• Westhaven Marina hosting DOC Rangers on Labour Weekend. Friday October 20: 3pm-5pm & Saturday October 21: 8am-11am. DOC Rangers will be at the Marina along with DOC boat, aikehu, to talk about how we keep our Hauraki Gulf Islands pest free.

• Restoring Takarunga Hauraki free BBQ Sunday October 15: 2pm-4pm to thank the community who have been helping with the Pest-free Devonport Peninsula campaign to rid the area of rats and other pests - get more information.

• Wine and Weeds: Neighbours of Birkenhead Point & Le Roys Bush. Sunday October 15: 2pm-4pm Ravenhill Café, Hinemoa Street, Birkenhead. Meet locals who love their reserves and want to keep them safe from weeds and pests. Chance to join Le Roys bush rat control halo project, working towards Pest Free Kaipatiki - get more information.

• Taka talks Conservation. Takapuna Library present an evening of conservation lectures. Thursday October 19: 6am-8pm. Speakers include: Dr Dan Godoy, Lecturer, Coastal-Marine Research Group, Institute of Natural & Mathematical Sciences, Massey University; Sandra Murray, Campaign Manager, The Kiwi Bottle Drive; Claudia Cairns, Plastic Diet, reducing use of single-use plastics; Jamie Stavert, pollination ecologist, Auckland University; Tracy Jeffery, Boomerang Bags, made from recycled materials.

• Protect your forest: Kauri dieback and trapping workshop Sunday October 15: 10am-12.30pm. Matuku Link Reserve. Join Christine Rose, Auckland Council Kauri Dieback Community Coordinator for the Waitakare Ranges, Annalily van den Broeke, Ark in the Park Bufferzone coordinator and Ken Harrop, Ark in the Park Trap Doctor for a workshop on trapping and kauri protection.

• Sunrise Walk with Nature Wednesday October 18: 6am-8:30am Totara Park.  Join Manukau Beautification Trust, for a sunrise walk, talk and breakfast in Auckland Council’s Totara Park, next to Auckland Regional Botanic Gardens in Manurewa.

Check out www.conservationweek.org.nz for ideas.

Background information 

• DOC’s partners also get involved in Conservation Week. This includes Genesis, who are encouraging kids to take part in a national competition with its Whio Boot Camp online game. As well as being fun, the game teaches players how a whio lives in the wild, eating, running rapids and hopefully avoiding predators.

• Toyota New Zealand are also getting involved. Our Toyota Kiwi Guardians programme connects kids with nature and rewards them with medals. Conservation Week marks the launch of our new waterways clean-up medal, Toa Tiaki Wai.

• *Engagement figures come from the Survey of New Zealanders 2016.

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