Dunedin children will be encouraged to get into nature during National Conservation Week, which runs from October 14-22.
On October 15, the Department of Conservation and Toyota New Zealand will launch two new Kiwi Guardians sites, where children can have fun while learning to help the environment.
The sites are at Jubilee Park, where a launch event will run from 10am-12pm, and the Dunedin Botanic Garden (2pm4pm). The events will feature workshops and scavenger hunts, one of which will be hosted by University of Otago students.
Both areas will remain permanent adventure sites for children, and maps will be available online at kiwiguardians.co.nz.
Doc co-ordinator Claudia Babirat said the opening launches would be hands on and exciting for children, and aimed to show practical skills that led to positive action such as growing your own native trees from seed or helping with pest control in your own backyard.
Once children had completed a scavenger hunt or an action at home, they could visit the website to claim a medal, which would be posted to them at no cost.
Ms Babirat said Doc’s conservation education professionals understood the importance of having children engage with nature and the positive impact it had on learning, education and health.
Other Conservation Week events for the general public include watching fairy prions and muttonbirds at St Clair, helping with predator control at Sandfly Bay, weed control and exploring the seashore.
All events are free. For more information, go to www.conservationweek.org.nz.
