Conservation week begins Saturday September 4 – it’s going to be a bit different at Alert Level 3.

Conservation week Te Wiki Tiaki Ao Tūroa 2021 has an apt theme: take a moment to arohia te taiao notice nature.

It doesn’t matter which alert level we are in, or which corner of Central Otago we live in, we are all being encouraged to take a moment for nature during this, the 52nd annual Conservation Week.

Haehaeata Natural Heritage Trust had planned a range of local conservation week activities, and have now scaled back to one organised activity, which can go ahead in either level 1 or 2.

The ‘Restoring the Drylands’ activity will hopefully now go ahead on Saturday, September 11th.  Restoring the Drylands is a chance to learn about restoration of Central Otago’s dryland vegetation, according to a Trust spokesperson.

The Trust has also put information online about native plant species that are currently in flower to look for on your bubble walks, as a suggested Conservation Week activity for locals. These include kowhai Sophora microphylla  (classified not threatened) and Pimelea aridula (classified at risk – declining).

Pimelea aridula is one of the native species currently in flower in Central Otago. Image supplied.

“Our health and wellbeing are strengthened when we connect with nature, which is so important at the moment,” Department of Conservation (DOC) Director General Lou Sanson said in a media statement.

A recent New Zealanders in the Outdoors survey gave insights into the clear link between mental and physical health and the outdoors. The survey asked New Zealanders to describe the key benefits of spending time outdoors. 41 percent referenced their mental health as a motivation, 35 percent physical health, and 34 percent cited a desire to connect with nature. 

Getting away from everyday routine and reflecting were also considered important.

Mr Sanson said their team of rangers and community and iwi groups around the country had a lot of events planned, which they hoped to hold at some point in the future. 

“But nature is adaptable, and so are we. 

“Instead, we have come up with innovative ways to make Conversation Week happen online and at home with activities to connect people to nature – there is something for everyone.”

Online activities range from taking a virtual walk to find penguins and kākāpō, joining citizen science projects, listening to a “Sounds of Science” podcast, digital treasure hunts and daily quizzes - all on the DOC website.

“It’s great to see a huge range of non-traditional nature connection activities for people to get their nature-fix at the moment, and our thousands of walks, camps, and huts will be ready for you when it’s safe to return to the outdoors.”

Conservation Week 2021 runs from September 4-12.

Visit the Haehaeata Natural heritage Trust website to find out more about our local native species at www.haehaeata.org.nz

For more information on Conservation Week activities visit the DOC Conservation Week website here. 

The New Zealanders in the Outdoors survey quoted can be found here.