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Conservation Week

QueenstownNovember 7

Couple's lifelong effort recognised

Neill and Barb Simpson's current project - the formation of the Wakatipu Reforestation Trust and setting up and operation of the Jean Malpas Community Plant Nursery - is perhaps the culmination of their conservation efforts over the past 60 years.
Couple's lifelong effort recognised
Couple's lifelong effort recognised
QueenstownNovember 6

Work of value and rewarding

Efforts by the Queenstown Climbing Club to improve the biodiversity and recreational values of some areas its members climb in have earned it a place as a finalist in the 2014 Inland Otago Conservation Awards. Club committee member Philip Green talks about the group's work.
Work of value and rewarding
Work of value and rewarding
DunedinSeptember 21

Volunteers gather 600 litres of trash

Volunteers from Our Seas Our Future (OSOF) picked up about 600 litres of rubbish in two hours for Conservation Week 2013.
Volunteers gather 600 litres of trash
Volunteers gather 600 litres of trash
QueenstownSeptember 13

Bike Wanaka on track to a bright future

Mountain biking has become increasing popular in recent years. Inland Otago Conservation Awards joint runner-up, Bike Wanaka's Mike Gould, talks about the projects the club has helped create providing positive public assets for the community and visitors.
Bike Wanaka on track to a bright future
Bike Wanaka on track to a bright future
South OtagoSeptember 12

Part of structure, trust chairman says

Cycle trails are becoming increasingly common around the country and Central Otago is no exception. Inland Otago Conservation Awards winner Clutha Gold Trail Charitable Trust's chairman Rod Peirce talks about constructing the 73km-long trail from Roxburgh to Lawrence.
Part of structure, trust chairman says
Part of structure, trust chairman says
QueenstownSeptember 11

Provision of riding network foremost

Inland Otago Conservation Awards finalist Queenstown Mountain Bike Club has developed four varied bike parks in the Queenstown area and is now developing a network of trails for cross-country riders, consequently growing Queenstown's reputation as one of the country's best biking destinations. Club president Tom Hey talks about the club's many projects and passion for mountain biking.
Provision of riding network foremost
Provision of riding network foremost
DunedinSeptember 9

Awards honour efforts of many

Endeavours to help the blue penguin, a rare worm and the biodiversity of some of our most treasured spots will be recognised this week through the Otago Conservation Awards.
QueenstownSeptember 15

Getting to grips with wilding pines

A keen group of volunteers, the Wakatipu Wilding Conifer Control Group has cleared 2500ha in the past couple of years. Joe Dodgshun finds out about the Inland Conservation Award winner's quest to rid the region of wilding pines.
Getting to grips with wilding pines
Getting to grips with wilding pines
Central OtagoSeptember 15

Projects ally youth with environment

Inland Otago Conservation Award finalist and Malcam Charitable Trust Conservation Corps youth worker Michelle Wilson talks to Sarah Marquet about the 12-week programme for youth that has completed an "impressive array" of amenity improvements.
Projects ally youth with environment
Projects ally youth with environment
South OtagoSeptember 12

Stoat encounter opened eyes

Coastal Otago Conservation Award finalist Forest and Bird South Otago branch chairman Roy Johnstone is a retired geothermal engineer who has set up and runs a predator trap network around penguin sites at Owaka Heads and Penguin Bay in South Otago. Helena de Reus investigates how the project works.
Stoat encounter opened eyes
Stoat encounter opened eyes
The MixSeptember 11

Corporate goes green, with spots

Otago's jewelled geckos have faced some tough challenges in recent years but Setpoint Solutions Ltd has helped fund research and literally lent a helping hand. Rebecca Fox talks to the Coastal Otago Conservation Award finalist about what a corporate sponsor gets out of conservation.
Corporate goes green, with spots
Corporate goes green, with spots
Central OtagoSeptember 9

Films to screen at Central Stories

As part of Conservation Week Alexandra residents will have an opportunity to see three short environmental films.
DunedinSeptember 17

Increasing community awareness of wetlands

Successfully uniting a community in an effort to preserve and develop its nearby wetlands has resulted in the Lake Waihola-Waipori Wetlands Society being nominated for the Coastal Otago Conservation Award. Rebecca Fox talks to president David Vollweiler and secretary Pauline Baker about their work to save the wetlands, which are home to 21 species that are totally reliant on the habitat for survival.
Increasing community awareness of wetlands
Increasing community awareness of wetlands
DunedinSeptember 17

Peninsula is HQ for her campaigns

A founder of prominent conservation organisations such as the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust and Save the Otago Peninsula, Lala Frazer is this year's Coastal Otago Conservation Award winner. Rebecca Fox talks to her about three decades of work to conserve Otago's environment.
Peninsula is HQ for her campaigns
Peninsula is HQ for her campaigns
DunedinSeptember 16

Young fingers on the pulse

Showing pupils how chemistry relates to real life situations as well as building a picture of the health of Otago Harbour has won the Healthy Harbour Watchers the inaugural Otago Conservation Schools Award. Rebecca Fox talks to project facilitator Andrew Innes.
Young fingers on the pulse
Young fingers on the pulse
DunedinSeptember 15

Captured by geckos

Sixteen stolen jewelled geckos were returned to their homes on Otago Peninsula earlier this year thanks to University of Otago masters student Carey Knox, a finalist in the Coastal Otago Conservation Awards. He talks to Rebecca Fox about his work identifying the threatened species.
Captured by geckos
Captured by geckos
DunedinSeptember 15

We don't know how lucky we are, says Doc man

Born and bred Otago residents may not realise how lucky they are to have so many wildlife treasures right on their doorstep, Department of Conservation Coastal Otago programme manager biodiversity assets David Agnew says.
We don't know how lucky we are, says Doc man
We don't know how lucky we are, says Doc man
DunedinSeptember 13

Gibbston Trail leads to award nomination

A tireless worker behind the creation of the Gibbston Trail, Gibbston Community Association chairwoman Susan Stevens is an Inland Otago Conservation Award finalist. Naeem Alvi speaks to Mrs Stevens about her work restoring and conserving sites for the Gibbston community.
Gibbston Trail leads to award nomination
Gibbston Trail leads to award nomination
DunedinSeptember 13

A loop walk in the beautiful beech forest

The Routeburn Nature Walk at the start of the Routeburn Track has been created to cater for people who want to enjoy a forest walk without too much hard work.
A loop walk in the beautiful beech forest
A loop walk in the beautiful beech forest
NewsSeptember 10

Awards celebrate moves to conserve

Conservation Week will be marked in many ways in Otago next week, from acknowledging the work people do in the community for the region's wildlife and landscape, to planting days and guided walks.
Central OtagoSeptember 10

Nominee enjoys living gently on this earth

Conservation Award Inland Otago nominee Jan Kelly has a great appreciation for the region's wildness and wants to ensure everyone has the opportunity to experience it. Marjorie Cook speaks to her about her passion for wildlife.
Nominee enjoys living gently on this earth
Nominee enjoys living gently on this earth
NewsSeptember 10

Otago plants fascinate botanists

Otago has so many unique plants because of its ancient landforms; some plants have had 40 million years to evolve, Department of Conservation botanist Mike Thorsen says.
Otago plants fascinate botanists
Otago plants fascinate botanists