Do you want to make a difference?

Guest Post by Minister of Conservation – Hon. Eugenie Sage

If you love conservation, and want to represent your local community, nominations are now open for New Zealand’s conservation boards!

We looking for a diverse range of people to step up and make their voices heard by joining their local conservation board to provide DOC and me as Minister with robust feedback on the conservation issues important to your community, both locally and at the national level.

Conservation boards are an important way for people to have their say and influence how public conservation lands and waters are managed. Their voice and role really matter. Membership of the boards should reflect the strong and diverse public interest in conservation and protecting New Zealand’s natural and historic resources

I want to see the diversity of our communities represented on these boards – people from all walks of life are encouraged to apply.

On any one board there may be students, teachers, iwi and hapu members, farmers, fishers, scientists, tourism operators, and retired people.

We need your help to ensure a thriving future for our indigenous plants, wildlife and their habitats and our ecosystems and engage communities in decisions about our natural and historic heritage.

So what will you do as a board member?

In 2018, conservation boards:

• Helped get the word out about myrtle rust and other threats to New Zealand’s native plants

• Advised DOC on priorities for upkeep of back-country huts.

• Gave their views on whitebait management.

• Commented on applications for commercial tourism operations on conservation land.

• Helped shape national park management plans and DOC’s regional conservation priorities.

Boards seek to operate by consensus so enjoying working as a team helps. Senior DOC staff regularly attend meetings and action feedback from the boards so their advice really matters.

If have a passion for conservation, some expertise and enjoy working with others, apply for your local board today and help shape our conservation efforts.  You can find more information here.

I look forward to reading your applications.