December 5, 2012

DOC invites public submissions on its conservation strategies

The Department of Conservation (DOC) is giving the public the chance to make submissions on its management of public conservation areas in the upper half of the North Island over the next 10 years.

DOC has today (Wednesday December 5) released its draft Conservation Management Strategies (CMS) for its Northland, Auckland and Waikato conservancies. These will guide the management of the areas DOC manages in these regions for the next 10 years.

Members of the public can read the three draft CMS for the Northland, Auckland and Waikato conservancies on the DOC website at http://www.doc.govt.nz/cms. This webpage also includes a submission form and information on how people can make a submission.The submission process is open until March 15 next year (2013).

DOC spokesperson Christopher Berry says feedback from iwi, conservation boards, interest groups and the public has already helped shape the direction in these draft strategies.

”The release of these documents presents a golden opportunity for people to provide feedback about conservation management in the upper North Island. We’re committed to working with communities into the future and want to know if we have got it right,” says Christopher Berry.

“This is the first time DOC has released three draft conservation management strategies together. We want the public to see how these strategies fit together to paint a picture about conservation across the upper North Island and New Zealand.”

Christopher Berry says the new strategies also reflect national management priorities for ecosystems, wildlife and recreational resources and opportunities. They show how DOC is focusing on those priorities at the regional level and how this fits with the places and values important to communities.

“These strategies are vitally important to every New Zealander’s natural and historic heritage and enjoyment of the outdoors. They will shape the future and its important people take this opportunity to let us know what they think,” says Christopher Berry.

“This consultation phase of the statutory process will enable DOC to assess how it can get more conservation work happening across the country, by inspiring and involving iwi, local business, communities and conservation groups to work alongside DOC on conservation programmes.”

“We liken each Conservation Management Strategy to a handshake with our communities. They reflect an agreed approach to managing conservation priorities in the years ahead.”

“Each strategy will include an overarching vision and objectives in the broader context, as well as identifying outcomes for specific places of interest in each DOC conservancy,” says Christoper Berry.

ENDS

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