It’s Conservation Week from the 14th – 22nd of October. Get involved by showing your backyard some love. Here are a few ways you can take part.
1. Get outdoors
A great way to show your back yard, and our greater NZ back yard some love is by getting out and enjoying it! There are lots of options for activities. You could pick up rubbish at your local beach or reserve, protect a nearby forest by hunting for invasive weeds, or even build a weta motel in your own back yard.
2. Take part in one of your local Conservation Week events
There’s lots going on this Conservation Week. We have everything from treasure hunts and BBQs to weeding and working bees. Check out our full list of events here and find out what’s happening near you.
If you would like to host an event during Conservation Week, or you know of one that isn’t listed, you can find instructions on how to create an event here.
3. Protect native birds in your garden by trapping predators
One of the major threats to native species in your garden is predation. Rats will eat both birds and lizards, while mice will compete for food so our native animals go hungry.
Help to make your garden a safe, food-filled sanctuary for our native species by installing and maintaining a trap.
4. Enter our photo competition
Show us how you’re loving your backyard this Conservation Week and you could win the ultimate predator free island experience!
Take a photo showing us how you’re caring for, protecting, nurturing or loving your backyard, or our wider New Zealand backyard, and post it on our Facebook page to win.
Find out more about the competition here.
Photo: Rebecca Walton
5. Volunteer for a community group
There are volunteer groups throughout the country that could use an extra set of hands. Conservation Week is a great time to find a group near you and lend your time. Find out more about conservation volunteer opportunities here.
6. Play the Whio Bootcamp game
See if you’ve got what it takes to survive as a whio/blue duck in the wild. Learn about whio and test your skills, and if you make it to the end you’ll go in the draw to win the ultimate whio adventure.
Play the game here.
7. Spread the word
We would love for you to help us encourage more people to get involved in Conservation Week. If you would like to use our promotional posters and images you can download them here.
You can also help us spread the word on social media by using the hashtags #LoveMyBackyard and #ConservationWeek to show us how you’re loving your back yard.
It’s Conservation Week from the 14th – 22nd of October. Get involved by protecting, growing, nurturing and caring for our nature.
