It’s National Volunteer Week and we’re honouring the selfless souls who volunteer for conservation—highlighting the diversity of conservation volunteers and volunteer opportunities around New Zealand.
Volunteers play a vital role in conservation in New Zealand. Here are some ideas for how you can be involved:
One:
Record your nature sightings on NatureWatch. This could be anything from a native bird in your garden to an unusual insect.
Two:
Learn how to attract native birds to your garden.
©Janice McKenna
Three:
Survey your shoreline with Marine Metre Squared, it’s an easy way for anyone to survey the plants and animals living on their local intertidal seashore.
Four:
Put on your gumboots and join in a day of native tree planting with your local community. Find out what’s happening near you on NatureSpace.
Five:
Organise a coastal clean-up. Rubbish on the coastline is unsightly and is a hazard for people and wildlife. Use the opportunity to advocate for waste minimisation in your local community.
Sandfly Bay volunteers
Six:
Get involved in a conservation event near you.
Seven:
Become a volunteer hut warden or campsite host. You’ll get to stay in some fantastic places and help manage and maintain our huts and campsites.
Eight:
Maintain DOC tracks, huts or historic sites and spend time in one of New Zealand’s incredible national parks.
Pouakai Hut ©Ross Henderson
Nine:
Become a wildlife volunteer. Help DOC with wildlife management, surveying or monitoring.
Ten:
Join a community conservation group. Many groups need help with administrative tasks and organising events.
Whether you have 15 minutes to spare, or a whole day, every minute counts.
