Winners of Auckland conservation awards announced

1 August 2005

Winners of Auckland conservation awards announced

A conservation group at Miranda took top prize in the Auckland conservation awards announced by the Conservation Minister today.

The Miranda Naturalists’ Trust, which runs the Miranda Shorebird Centre, was among five organisations and an individual to receive the Department of Conservation nominated awards for outstanding conservation work in the Auckland region.

Other winners were the Auckland Zoo, North Shore based Kaipatiki Project, Rangitoto Island Historic Conservation Trust and Glenfern Sanctuary on Great Barrier Island. Howick Historical Village director Alan La Roche was also recognised for his lifelong commitment to conservation.

DOC acting Auckland Conservator Warwick Murray said the awards recognised significant efforts and achievements in conservation.

“These groups have all done major work, through community education, nurturing threatened species, restoring habitat and looking after historic buildings. Collectively they have greatly improved our conservation heritage and people’s appreciation of it.”

Mr Murray also praised the work of a range of community conservation groups and volunteers around Auckland and the Hauraki Gulf who also deserved recognition.

The Auckland conservation awards mark the start of Conservation Week (1-7 August), which this year celebrates the connections between living things.

Auckland Conservation Awards:

Miranda Naturalists’ Trust – Stella Frances Award for Conservation Excellence: for their work in community education through the Miranda Shorebird Centre and their research and passionate advocacy for the First of Thames wetland and wader bird migration.

Glenfern Sanctuary Charitable Trust, Great Barrier Island – Conservation Achievement Award in Biodiversity Protection and Restoration: for a decade of work to restore 60 hectares of native bush near Port Fitzroy, including replanting, pest control and re-introducing the North Island robin.

Rangitoto Island Historic Conservation Trust – Conservation Achievement Award in Historic Conservation: for completing the restoration of an historic bach (Bach 38) and commitment to conserving and telling the history of the Rangitoto bach communities.

Auckland Zoo – Conservation Achievement Award in Partnerships and Community Involvement: for their work in threatened species conservation and promotion of conservation messages through events, activities and education programmes.

Kaipatiki Project – Conservation Achievement Award in Education and Awareness: for providing excellent community conservation and environmental education programmes, as well as work to restore Kaipatiki Reserve in Birkdale and inspire local backyard conservation projects.

Alan La Roche – Conservation Achievement Award for Outstanding Individual: for his lifelong commitment to conservation and serving the community, including services to the Howick Historical Village, Auckland Conservation Board and Mangere Mountain Education Trust.

ENDS

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