2 August 2004

New Auckland conservation awards announced

A Great Barrier conservation project took top prize in the inaugural Auckland conservation awards announced by the Minister of Conservation yesterday.

The Windy Hill - Rosalie Bay Catchment Trust was among six groups to receive the Department of Conservation-nominated awards for contributions to conservation in the Auckland region.

Other winners were groups that have helped to restore public conservation land on Tiritiri Matangi, Motuora and Motutapu islands, protect the WW II defence site at Stony Batter on Waiheke Island, and introduce conservation to large numbers of Auckland's Chinese community.

DOC Auckland Conservator Rob McCallum said the groups stood out for their vision, hard work and achievement for conservation.

"All these groups have shown a desire to improve our conservation heritage for future generations. Their work has made a real difference."

Mr McCallum also praised the community effort on a range of conservation projects in Auckland.

"We developed these awards to acknowledge the impressive and growing conservation work being done by the community and there are many other groups and volunteers out there that deserve recognition."

The conservation awards mark the start of Conservation Week, which this year celebrates community involvement in conservation.

Certificates were also given to nineteen other groups and individuals who have also made their mark in conservation.

Groups that received awards were:

Windy Hill - Rosalie Bay Catchment Trust - Stella Frances Award for Conservation Excellence: for pest control and habitat restoration on private land, including re-introducing North Island robin.

Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi - Conservation Achievement Award in Biodiversity Protection: for extensive work in restoring Tiritiri Matangi Island, including re-introducing tuatara to the island.

Motuora Restoration Society - Conservation Achievement Award in Ecological Restoration: for progress with an ambitious project to re-plant and restore this pest-free island.

Stony Batter Protection and Restoration Society - Conservation Achievement Award in Historic Conservation: for work restoring this historic defence site and developing it as a visitor destination.

Motutapu Restoration Trust - Conservation Achievement Award in Partnerships and Community Involvement: for getting large numbers of Aucklanders involved in the replanting and development of this island recreation reserve.

Chinese Conservation Education Trust - Conservation Achievement Award in Education and Awareness: for bringing conservation to Auckland's fast-growing Chinese community.

ENDS

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