Date: October 26 2007

Conservation Week is ‘springing’ forward

You can plan a great event but you can’t control the weather. That’s the message the Department of Conservation have been getting loud and clear, as winter weather played havoc with many of this year’s Conservation Week events.

Conservation Week is DOC’s big event each year, when hundreds of conservation and recreation activities take place all across the country. It has always taken place in August, when DOC staff and community partners keep their fingers crossed for fine weather.

“We have had lots of feedback from staff and the key agencies we work with that early August has never been a very reliable time of the year to run events, with winter weather often putting a dampener on things,” said Anastasia Turnbull, brand and campaign manager for DOC.

As a result, DOC has decided to move Conservation Week forward into September, when the spring weather is usually warmer and calmer.

“As schools are a primary audience for Conservation Week activities, it was important to us to work in with what suited them best”, said Ms Turnbull. “After consultation with staff and schools, we have decided to move Conservation Week to the first full week in September. As Conservation Week traditionally runs Sunday to Sunday, that makes the dates for next year September 7-14.”

Conservation Week has been celebrated since 1969, covering a wide range of themes and topics - from insects to Antarctica. In past years it has taken place in the first week of August, but from 2008 it is making a move towards the warmer weather.

Conservation Week is a national opportunity to highlight the issues facing conservation in New Zealand, as well as a chance to celebrate the work being carried out by conservation organisations, community groups and individuals. Conservation Week activities are co-ordinated by local Department of Conservation offices, in association with a wide range of agencies and groups including iwi, regional and city councils, schools, conservation organisations, churches, and corporate sponsors.

In 2007, over 100 activities took place around the country, where members of the public could learn about and take part in both conservation and recreation activities.

ENDS

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