Coastal Otago Conservation Week events

20 October 2014

Dunedin and North Otago people don’t need to travel far to interact with nature during Conservation week from November 1-9 as many stunning treasures wait to be discovered on our doorstep.

The Department of Conservation’s (DOC) Coastal Otago Partnerships Manager, Mike Morrison, says more than 70 percent of New Zealanders visit public conservation land each year, mainly for sightseeing, short walks and picnics.

“We want to translate that interest into encouraging more people to play an active role in conservation, which is why we have created local events for people to experience the huge range of what’s available.”

“There are so many beautiful spots in our area, such as scenic reserves, parks, campsites, forests and wetlands, within a short driving distance of our towns and cities.”

“Come and learn what makes your back yard so important from a conservation point of view and help preserve your local treasures,” Mike says.

Events being hosted by DOC in Dunedin and North Otago during Conservation Week are:

Project Gold – Oamaru

9.30am – 1pm, Sunday 2 November

Project Gold display at the Oamaru Farmers Market

2 – 4pm, Sunday 2 November

Kowhai tree planting and sausage sizzle in the afternoon at the Oamaru Community Gardens, Chelmers St.

Careys Creek Walk – Evansdale

9.30am, Wednesday 5 November

Careys Creek walk (George Sutherland Memorial Walk) at Evansdale (20 minutes drive north of Dunedin). A 3-4 hour bush walk.

Dog’s Breakfast

9.00am – 11.30am, Sunday 9 November, John Wilson Drive, St Kilda

An event providing a safe and comfortable environment to reinforce appropriate dog/dog owner behavior around marine wildlife. As well as DOC staff, Otago Polytechnic IT students and representatives from the NZ Sea Lion Trust, Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust, and Dunedin City Council will be attending.

Native fish display, Otago Museum

11am, Sunday 9 November

Storytelling session featuring The Whitebait Wriggle by Amber McEwan, to celebrate introduction of native fish, the giant kōkopu, into the aquarium outside the nature galleries.

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