MEDIA RELEASE

25 March 2016

Conservation Expeditions to Dusky Sound

The Department of Conservation’s (DOC) vision to make Dusky Sound, in Fiordland, one of the most intact ecosystems in the world will move a step closer with the announcement of three more Dusky Sound Conservation Discovery Expeditions this year, in conjunction with Real Journeys.

Greg Lind, DOC Operations Manager for Fiordland says that, “last year we held one expedition which raised awareness, funds and helped with conservation in Dusky Sound. The positive feedback was overwhelming, as was the interest in further conservation cruise opportunities.”

“This year, with three trips, we look forward to engaging more people with this special area, and introducing them to the work that DOC does,” says Greg Lind.

The five-day expeditions will visit a number of Dusky Sound’s remote islands where DOC is undertaking conservation work.

“We were really keen to increase the number of expeditions we do with DOC. Conservation is one of our core values and this project is clearly dear to the hearts of many New Zealanders – last year the trip sold out over a single weekend,” says Richard Lauder, Real Journeys Chief Executive.

Following feedback from last year, participants clearly wanted to be even more involved in the practical conservation of the islands. There will be more options to do physical work on the islands like setting stoat traps, maintaining backcountry huts and clearing tracks. In the evening they will hear from DOC staff about conservation projects in Dusky Sound.

The cruise includes a visit to Pigeon Island to see Richard Henry’s historic site and Pickersgill Harbour, where Captain Cook moored his ship Resolution and set up an astronomer’s observatory to fix the longitude and latitude of the headland, in 1773. All the elements of a Discovery Expedition on the Milford Wanderer will be included (fantastic food, nature guide, heli-flight, nature walks to historic sites). The cost of the trip is $2,200 per person, a percentage of the ticket price will go towards DOC’s conservation work in association with Real Journeys.

Numbers are limited on these three special 2016 trips that are scheduled from 13-17th July, 17–21st July and 19–23rd September.

To make a booking phone 0800 65 65 01 or email contact@realjourneys.co.nz

or visit: www.realjourneys.co.nz/conservationexpedition

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