Passionate people praised for their conservation efforts.

Six conservationists have won the Mayoral Conservation Awards for their passion for conservation, education, innovation and determination to conserve and protect our natural environment.

The awards recognise the outstanding efforts in conservation made by groups and individuals across the Auckland region and acknowledge the effort of communities and landowners in helping to protect the environment.

At a Civic Reception in the Auckland Town Hall last evening, Mayor Phil Goff praised all the finalists for their efforts and the important role they play in protecting our threatened native species and their habitats.

“It’s inspiring to see the great work being done by those here in our own backyard and I’m glad to have the opportunity to recognise them for their efforts. We applaud all award winners and look forward to seeing the positive impacts these groups and individuals will have on their communities in the future.”

Mayor Goff said the additional investment of $311 million across the next ten years from the natural environmental targeted rate would support these voluntary groups to achieve their goals and added that his one million trees project was well on the way to being achieved, with 750,000 of the one million already in the ground.

The award categories

The award categories encompassed eradication, restoration, collaboration, education and innovation.

Kaipatiki Project Nursery won the Collaboration Award for their mentoring of neighbourhood groups and networks to restore reserves and native bush.

Windy Hill Sanctuary was recognised for their eradication work on Great Barrier Island, while Matuku Link’s effort in managing native ecosystems in the Waitākere Ranges won them the Restoration Award.

Ecotrack took out the Innovation Award for the development of a weed recording software while Frazer Dale received the Individual Award for his tireless work with community groups in west Auckland.

The Catch-IT programme work in environmental education supporting primary school students through classwork and community activities bringing the STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) subjects to life took out the award for education.

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