Auckland Council and Forest & Bird winners at Green Ribbon Awards

The Ministry for the Environment has announced Auckland Council and Forest & Bird have won the stewardship award in the annual Green Awards, honouring outstanding contributions to protecting New Zealand’s environment.

Ark in the Park, nominated in two categories, was runner up in the protecting biodiversity category and winner of the stewardship champions category, announced last night at a Parliamentary dinner in Wellington.

Cr. Wayne Walker, says “it’s an honour to be involved in an amazing project, which is really making a difference to volunteers, council and forest & bird staff and the community”

“It means a lot to us to be recognised for the work we are doing in the environmental space and demonstrates how strong relationships with independent conservation organisations like Forest & Bird deliver positive outcomes for the environment”

“Attending the award ceremony to see what other organisations are doing across New Zealand was heart-warming, and made it clear the real winner of the day is the environment.” he says.

Hone McGregor, Chief Executive at Forest & Bird, says “this award is a testament to the extraordinary work done by all those who volunteer in the Ark in the Park. Together, more than 600 people put in an incredible 9000 hours each year, making the Ark in the Park what it is today.”

Ark in the Park is located in the Waitakere Ranges, with the main entrance located at Cascades Kauri Park. To find out more about this award winning project, or if you are interested in becoming a volunteer visit arkinthepark.org.nz.

About Ark in the Park

Ark in the Park is a collaborative project between Forest & Bird and Auckland Council, and in February this year the previous agreement (between the former Auckland Regional Council and Forest & Bird) was extended for an additional ten years. The project enhances the biodiversity and ecosystem of the Waitakere Ranges, covering approximately 2,100ha of the Waitakere River catchment of the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park.

The key focus areas for Ark in the Park are:

• Working together to maintain and restore the indigenous biodiversity of Te Wao nui o Tiriwa (Waitakere Ranges)
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• Advocacy
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• Engaging Auckland communities and tangata whenua in conservation activities within the project area
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• Developing and implementing a restoration plan and annual work plan, including agreed contributions
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Ark in the Park showcases how natural values can be protected and enhanced through community involvement, inter-agency cooperation and public commitment. By conserving the natural, recreational, historical and cultural features of the Waitakere Ranges, Ark in the Park benefits the region by actively engaging visitors’ experience of Auckland’s natural ecosystems.

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