The return of 50 juvenile kiwi to the Okarito forest on the West Coast is an excellent sign for recovery efforts, Conservation Minister Maggie Barry says.
Released this morning at an event attended by the Department of Conservation’s Threatened Species Ambassador, Nicola Toki, the birds will take the population of the rare Rowi kiwi species in the Okarito forest to more than 400.
Associate Conservation Minister Nicky Wagner says conservation projects throughout Central Otago and Southland, including reforestation, pest control and preservation of the endangered galaxiid fish family, will all receive a boost from the Community Conservation Partnership Fund (CCPF).
“The Wakatipu basin is a highly regarded tourist destination, but at the same time it no longer has many of the native plant species which would once have been present,” Ms Wagner says.
A range of conservation projects, including coastal forests, wetland restoration and pest control across Otago, will benefit from the latest round of Community Conservation Partnership Fund (CCPF) grants, says Associate Conservation Minister Nicky Wagner.
“The Landscape Connection Trust is receiving $120,000 to help continue conservation efforts for threatened species and indigenous forests across 55,000 hectares of Otago land,” Ms Wagner says.
Associate Conservation Minister Nicky Wagner today announced Community Conservation Partnership Fund (CCPF) grants for projects in the Nelson and Marlborough regions, with support for conservation of long-tailed bats and native birds, and restoration of local wetlands.
“The CCPF will provide $127,000 to help the Brook Waimarama Sanctuary Trust develop a large pest-free sanctuary for wildlife close to Nelson City,” Ms Wagner says.
Conservation Minister Maggie Barry has announced new funding for three groups with exciting plans to help New Zealand’s national bird thrive in the wild.
$226,000 from the Community Conservation Partnerships Fund will go towards the projects in the West Coast, Northland and the Coromandel.
World Rivers Day provides an opportunity to highlight the value of rivers and acknowledge the impact that community groups can have on river conservation, says Associate Conservation Minister Nicky Wagner.
“World Rivers Day is a celebration of the world’s waterways, but it is also a chance to connect with rivers at a local level and celebrate the work of local communities in conserving their rivers,” Ms Wagner says.
Efforts to inspire young people to get involved with protecting New Zealand’s natural world will benefit from $566,000 of funding announced today, Conservation Minister Maggie Barry says.
“Six significant environmental education projects will receive the money from the Community Conservation Partnerships Fund,” Ms Barry says.
“It is vital for the future of conservation in this country that we’re able to support organisations that are doing great work and encourage the next generation to enjoy, value and protect our natural world.”
The fight against introduced predators across New Zealand will receive a significant boost through $2.13 million in Community Conservation Partnerships Fund money announced today by Conservation Minister Maggie Barry.
“Pests like possums, rats and stoats are, without any doubt, the biggest threat to our native wildlife,” Ms Barry says.
The Government will invest $110,000 from the Community Conservation Partnership Fund (CCPF) to help reintroduce the native Kokako to the Parininihi area of Taranaki, says Associate Conservation Minister Nicky Wagner.
“The last Taranaki Kokako was placed in captivity in 1999 to protect it from predators. It is exciting that Kokako could soon be reintroduced to Taranaki,” Ms Wagner says.
The Blue Penguin – the world’s smallest – is one of several West Coast seabirds that will receive support as part of the Community Conservation Partnership Fund’s support for West Coast conservation projects, says Associate Conservation Minister Nicky Wagner.
“The $98,000 investment will help the West Coast Penguin Trust conduct research and carry out practical projects to protect blue penguins and other West Coast seabirds,” Ms Wagner says.
New Zealand Aluminium Smelter’s 25 years of partnership with DOC has helped to bring the kakapo back from the edge of extinction, Conservation Minister Maggie Barry says.
“When NZAS joined with DOC and Forest & Bird there were only 49 kakapo left in the world. Now, a quarter of a century later, there are 125 and early indications point to a good upcoming breeding season,” Ms Barry says.
Whitebait will be making a comeback into Christchurch and more will be done to protect the habitats of Canterbury’s colony-nesting river birds, says Associate Conservation Minister Nicky Wagner.
The Community Conservation Partnership Fund is providing more than $126,000 to the Whaka Inaka project to restore whitebait habitat in Christchurch, and more than $33,000 to the Braided River Partnership project to improve the success of colony-nesting birds along Canterbury rivers.
Five groups tackling the major problem of wilding conifers have received $345,000 from the Community Conservation Partnerships Fund as part of the War on Weeds, Conservation Minister Maggie Barry says.
“Wilding conifers cover more than 1.7 million hectares of land, and are advancing at an estimated rate of 5 per cent a year,” Ms Barry says.
“They alter entire landscapes and are notoriously difficult to clear once established, representing a major threat to our unique New Zealand ecosystems, land and farms.”
DOC’s new Queenstown Visitor Centre will showcase the spectacular natural beauty and outdoor adventures on offer in our most popular tourist destination, Conservation Minister Maggie Barry says.
Ms Barry opened the centre, on Stanley St, this afternoon.
“From this high-profile, modern and innovative new site, DOC will be at the heart of tourism in Queenstown. It will be a source of up-to-date information for anyone who wants to enjoy the experiences available in the area.”
Conservation Minister Maggie Barry has announced a $918,000 commitment to the War on Weeds through this year’s round of Community Conservation Partnerships Fund grants.
$500,000 will go to a significant joint programme run by Weedbusters NZ and the QEII National Trust, and will be used to fund voluntary weedbusting efforts by community groups, alongside regional and local councils.
New Zealanders will be encouraged to roll up their sleeves and join forces to fight against invasive weeds in a new campaign launched today by Conservation Minister Maggie Barry.
“It’s time to declare War on Weeds,” Ms Barry says. “They choke our forests and waterways, restrict habitat and could ruin cherished and valuable landscapes.”
Conservation Minister Maggie Barry has today announced New Zealand’s first Threatened Species Ambassador is Nicola Toki.
The Ambassador will be a high-profile role within the Department of Conservation for all of the country’s threatened species, working to build partnerships and encourage New Zealanders to become involved in conservation efforts.
“As a nation, we face a major battle to save our threatened species. Our unique native wildlife is besieged by introduced pests and other threats,” Ms Barry says.
A new partnership between the Department of Conservation and New Zealand’s largest tourism industry organisation will benefit both our natural environment and the economy, Conservation Minister Maggie Barry says.
The partnership will see DOC work with the Tourism Industry Association to promote tourism on conservation land and beyond across the country.
Conservation Minister Maggie Barry is in Melbourne this week to attend the inaugural Threatened Species Summit.
The event on Thursday will be hosted by Australian Environment Minister Greg Hunt and chaired by Australia’s Threatened Species Commissioner, Gregory Andrews.
Minister Barry will be one of the keynote speakers, discussing the New Zealand experience of conservation.
The Government will grant up to $100,000 to enable the West Coast’s Old Ghost Road cycle trail to be completed this year, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Conservation Minister Maggie Barry announced today.
The Government is working with the Mokihinui-Lyell Backcountry Trust, the Buller District Council and Development West Coast on the 85km trail, which will connect the ghost town of Lyell in the Buller Gorge to Seddonville township.
New Zealand has boosted the protection of sharks by signing the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Sharks.
Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy and Conservation Minister Maggie Barry have signed the agreement today which aims to improve the conservation of seven migratory shark species vulnerable to over-exploitation.
“This international memorandum is the first global instrument of its kind, and we join 38 other countries in becoming a signatory,” says Mr Guy.
A significant wetland on the West Coast home to rare birds and plants will be preserved for the public thanks to the Nature Heritage Fund, Associate Conservation Minister Nicky Wagner says.
“The Nature Heritage Fund has purchased 56 hectares of land in Okuru, South Westland to become part of the conservation estate. This land is a great example of open pakihi, a type of wetland characterised by low soil fertility,” Ms Wagner says.
Associate Conservation Minister Nicky Wagner today announced 41 appointments to the 14 Conservation Boards across New Zealand.
“I want to congratulate each of the community representatives who are being appointed in 2015, particularly the 14 who will serve for the first time. I would also like to thank the outgoing representatives for their contribution to conservation in their region,” Ms Wagner says.
Associate Conservation Minister Nicky Wagner says Volunteer Week is a chance to celebrate the fact that people at all stages of their life are stepping up to volunteer their time to preserve New Zealand’s natural heritage.
“More than 15,000 people participated in Department of Conservation volunteer programmes last year, working an estimated 35,149 work days. On top of this DOC ran more than 600 partnerships last year with community conservation groups,” Ms Wagner says.
