MEDIA RELEASE
Horizons Regional Council

Wednesday 29 August, 2012

Conservation Week just around the corner

Conservation Week is fast approaching and the Department of Conservation (DoC), with the support of Horizons Regional Council have some great activities and events planned for all age groups.

Conservation Week is held each year to raise awareness of the benefits of conservation and to encourage people to get involved with looking after our environment.

A number of great events and activities have been organised across our region and the community is encouraged to get involved.

The first event on the calendar is the whio family fun day on September 9 at Te Manawa, Palmerston North from 11.00am – 12.30pm. On the day there will be a floor talk from Peter Russell of the Blue Duck Recovery Group and WHIONE captive breeding programme which will be of interest to adults.

In the meantime the kids will be kept entertained with opportunities to try the flood simulation in the ‘Te Awa’ exhibition, have a go at crafts and face painting, and even win plenty of spot prizes.

Horizons’ Conservation Week colouring in competition winners will also be presented with their prizes at the whio family fun day. Two winners will receive $100 worth of plants for their school plus individual prizes including vouchers to the Lido Aquatic Centre, t-shirts and more.

Entries for the colouring in competition close September 3 and entry forms are available from Horizons Regional Council offices, local libraries, the Lido Aquatic Centre, schools or online at www.horizons.govt.nz.

Those who wish to find out about the Blue Duck Protection Project first hand can join a field to the Oroua River on Sunday 16 September. Representatives from DoC, Horizons and the project group will guide participants as they walk along the start of the protection project trap line. The field trip will take most of the day, from 9am-3pm and transport is free. For bookings email kstratford@horizons.govt.nz or phone the Department of Conservation on 06 350 9700.

“We are excited about the number of activities, catering for all ages that we have on offer for Conservation Week this year. In the past our activities have been really popular so we would encourage people to book as early as possible”, says DoC education and events coordinator Anne Ryan.

For more information on the activities happening near you contact your local Department of Conservation office or check out the Conservation Week page on www.horizons.govt.nz .

Ends

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