Enjoy Your Parks In Conservation Week

Enjoy Your Parks In Conservation Week

Conservation Week this year celebrates New Zealand's parks and reserves, and encourages people to use and enjoy them.

A particular focus will be New Zealand's 13 national parks, which are a focal point for outdoor recreation and which also protect some of our most precious natural areas.

Conservation Week is an annual week of activities and action for the environment co-ordinated by the Department of Conservation (DOC) in the first week of August each year.

DOC's Conservation Week co-ordinator, Pam Crisp, says one of the main aims this year is to encourage people who do not usually visit parks to get out and enjoy New Zealand's natural attractions.

"Even a short visit can really open people's eyes to the wonders of our natural heritage," she said.

"The parks network is there for everyone to enjoy. You can be 80 years old and just enjoy the ambience of the place, or you can be a hard-core mountaineer set on climbing peaks."

Ms Crisp says the week is also an opportunity for clubs, schools and councils to organise their own activities in the parks. "Outdoor recreation groups, for example, might use the week to introduce new people to those things that keep drawing them back to our parks year after year."

Conservation Week runs from 31 July to 6 August. Up-dated details on activities planned during Conservation Week will be available from the DOC website (www.doc.govt.nz).

For more information, please contact the Department of Conservation's Consservation Week co-ordinator, Pam Crisp, at 04-4710726.

Wanda Vivequin Community Relations Officer Northland Conservancy DD (09) 430 2465 wvivequin@doc.govt.nz

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