Conservation week began last Saturday and runs till Sunday the 18th of September. Conservation Week is the Department of Conservation’s (DOC’s) annual event celebrating our nature and giving all New Zealanders a chance to get active in conservation. It’s a full week, including 2 weekends, of inspiring activities and experiences for conservation. The week is all about raising awareness of the value of the physical, social, environmental and economic benefits of nature.
New Zealand has celebrated Conservation Week since 1969. Conservation is something everyone can participate in, whether as a business, group or individual. We all benefit from conservation, so getting involved means you’re playing an active part in protecting our future. This year’s theme is ‘Healthy Nature Healthy People’, which is all about improving health and wellbeing by enjoying the natural spaces around us. Exposure to our natural environments has positive effects on human health and wellbeing. DOC promotes this connection between the health of our environment and our people through ‘Healthy Nature Healthy People’. We encourage getting out into natural spaces, from our backyards, urban parks and beaches to our national parks, seas, lakes and wild rivers.
Studies show children who are connected to nature will want to enjoy it and save it, now and in the future. Spending time in nature also improves physical and mental health and wellbeing – it’s all about Healthy Nature Healthy People. More than 130 events are planned throughout the country during the week. The Department of Conservation encourages everyone to “join the team” for Conservation Week — help out with conservation efforts, connect with special places and contribute to Predator Free 2050, Battle for Our Birds 2016, the War on Weeds and other vital programmes.
Conservation Week is about getting out and having fun while enjoying our beautiful county. It gives us a chance to celebrate our wonderful natural environment. As a parent, I know that we can get caught up in day to day life without making time to stop and enjoy our beautiful environment. So my challenge to you is to help get your parents out in nature this week. You can attend one of the Conservation Week events, go out to a local park for a walk or do one of the activities from the below website together in your very own backyard. Please check out the links below for events, volunteer opportunities, activities, competitions and other ideas to help you get involved.
Events: www.doc.govt.nz/news/events/conservation-week/events/
Competitions: www.doc.govt.nz/news/events/conservation-week/competitions/
Activities: www.doc.govt.nz/news/events/conservation-week/do-an-activity/
Information: www.doc.govt.nz/conservationweek/
