27 July 2007

Go on a Conservation Week south coast safari

Fun and adventure for all is promised at a South Coast Safari Day on Wellington’s south coast on Sunday August 12, celebrating Conservation Week with its focus this year on outdoor recreation.

Kayaking, walking, biking, coastal planting, four wheel drive tours and beach clean-ups incorporating a “treasure hunt”, are on offer at the event, being hosted by the Poneke Area of the Department of Conservation, Wellington City Council, and Forest and Bird from 10am to 3pm. There’ll also be penguin activities and talks for children at the Island Bay Surf Club courtesy of the Kiwi Conservation Club, along with a sausage sizzle.

With the theme Another world. Just down the road, Conservation Week 2007 (August 6-12) is highlighting the wealth of fun, healthy outdoor recreation opportunities available to people of all ages and fitness levels close by New Zealand’s urban areas.

With beautiful beaches, and a variety of parks and reserves close at hand, Wellingtonians are spoiled for choice when it comes to enjoying the great outdoors, says Department of Conservation, Poneke Area spokesperson Kerry Swadling.

“We’ve chosen the south coast for this year’s Conservation Week celebrations because it’s popular with outdoor enthusiasts, it’s right on our doorstep, and it’s the site of a proposed new marine reserve.”

The 840 ha Kupe/Kevin Smith Marine Reserve is planned to open later this year.

People of all fitness levels and ages can enjoy the activities on offer at the event, which promises to be a fun-filled day for the whole family. During a coastal trek to Red Rocks, they can also contribute to the area’s biodiversity, (and help reduce their carbon footprint) by planting native species, such as flax, tussocks, taupata and shrubby tororaro (Muehlenbeckia astonii).

Programme:
10am Try kayaking at Island Bay with Fergs Kayaks, free. Meet at Island Bay Surf Club
10am Walking safari to seal colony (approx 2 hours). Meet at Owhiro Bay Quarry car park
1pm Bicycle safari - meet at Owhiro Bay Quarry car park
1pm 4WD safari (Bring your own 4WD). Bookings essential: Phone 04 499 4444 - meet at Owhiro Bay Quarry car park
1.30pm Penguin talk (for children) at Island Bay Surf Club
10-3pm Kiwi Conservation Club activities at surf club for kids aged 3+
10-3pm Beach clean up & treasure hunt- win great prizes hidden on the beach
10-3pm Planting
Bring: your own bike/kayak/4WD/walking shoes and wet weather gear. All children must be accompanied by adults.

Visit the DOC website to for more details of this event and other Conservation Week events in the Wellington region, and be in to win great prizes: www.doc.govt.nz/conservationweek

To find out how about the many outdoor sites and activities to enjoy on conservation land in the Wellington region check the Department of Conservation website:
http://www.doc.govt.nz>parks and recreation>places to visit>wellington

Information about outdoor recreation sites and activities can also be found on the Greater Wellington Regional Council website: www.gw.govt.nz, and at visitor information centres and your local DOC office. ENDS

ENDS

Other Conservation Week activities in the Wellington region

Weed swap, Saturday 11 August, 10am- 3pm, NewDowse, Lower Hutt.
Pull a weed from the garden, exchange it for a free native plant, and check out the NewDowse exhibition Of gorse of course, which explores New Zealand’s love-hate relationship with the weed gorse and features sculptures, scent, wine and paper made from gorse wood, flowers and fibre by Wellington sculptor Regan Gentry. The event is being hosted by DOC, the Hutt City Council and the NewDowse Gallery, with support from Greater Wellington Regional Council
Contact: Matt Barnett, Department of Conservation, 04 472 5821

Lunch hour talks, displays & special services, Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, Molesworth Street, 5-16 August. Free entry

Talks, 12 noon - 1pm during Conservation Week:
- Monday 6 August: Hugh Logan, CEO Ministry for the Environment - Sustainability.
- Tuesday 7 August: Keith Carley, former lecturer at St. John’s Theological College - Domination or Delight? Finding biblical bearings on the environment.
- Wednesday 8 August: Jonathan Gardner, Director of the Centre for Marine Environmental & Economic Research, Victoria University - 20 years in the making - the Kupe/Kevin Smith Marine Reserve: conservation science and possible conservation benefits
- Thursday 9 August: Debate: Green Party versus Victoria University Debating Society - The ecological crisis is primarily driven by inappropriate economic theory and practice.
- Friday 10 August: Bryce Johnston, chief executive officer of Fish and Game - Access to the great outdoors - a kiwi tradition.
Contact: Ted Abraham, Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, 06 358 6027

Displays, story sessions and colouring competitions at libraries in the Wellington region
Contact your local library for details

McDonald’s planting day, Kowhai Park, Levin, Thursday 8 August, 8:30am to noon

Children from various Levin Schools will plant native trees in the park in this joint project between DOC and the Horowhenua District Council sponsored by McDonalds Levin. The public are welcome to participate.
Contact: Wayne Boness 04 296 1112 wboness@doc.govt.nz

Our Big Back Yard Conservation Week 2007 at Pataka in Porirua, 6-12 August

Our Big Back Yard highlights that the world's problems are not an ocean away but in our own backyard. Meet people in our own backyard who are taking action and offering solutions for our future. Learn about the pressing issues and share the experiences of those who are working towards creating a sustainable environment. Free entry, free forums, free advice.
Contact: Tonya Jones, events coordinator, Porirua City Council, 04 237 4538

Open Day, Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre, State highway 2, Mt Bruce (30 km north of Masterton and 10 km south of Eketahuna), Sunday 12 August, 9am - 4.30pm

This free open day features displays, presentations and fun activities, highlighting the wealth of healthy, fun, outdoor pursuits in the Wairarapa.
Contact: Kathy Houkamau, Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre, 06 375 8003

Open Day, Otari-Wilton's Bush Saturday 11 August, 9.30am to 2pm
The open day begins with an annual plant sale at 9.30am followed by talks, walks, displays and refreshments. Bring your pest plants for identification and learn how to control them with advice from experts.
Contact: Treehouse Visitor Centre, 04 499 1400
Wellington Tramping & Mountaineering Club weekly club meeting, trip presentations, Wednesday nights, 7.30pm, Tararua Club Hall, 4 Montcrieff Street, Mount Victoria, Wellington
Come along to meet other trampers, cyclists, kayakers & mountaineers; sign up for trips; get inspired by presentations from other adventurers. It’s the ideal way to discover and appreciate the New Zealand wilderness. Everyone welcome.
Contact: Dave Bergin, WTMC promotions officer, promotions@wtmc.org.nz

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