News Release

Friday 7 September 2012

Council to celebrate Conservation Week

ROTORUA 07.09.12: Conservation Week begins on Sunday [9 September] and Rotorua District Council (RDC) is hosting four projects to celebrate the national event.

Keep Rotorua Beautiful (KRB) is organising the Te Amorangi Museum’s Garden Spring Clean Up on Sunday [9 September].

KRB coordinator Christine Findon is encouraging locals to join Sunday’s working bee in the gardens to support Rotorua's “best kept secret”.

“Volunteers are asked to bring their own garden equipment, such as secateurs, spades, forks, water, and sunscreen - and some enthusiasm,” she said.

RDC Redwoods Forest & Visitor Centre Manager Julianne Wilkinson said The Redwoods is hosting two fantastic events - ‘Bird Feeders in the Forest’ on Monday [10 September] and ‘Tales by Torchlight’ on Tuesday [11 September].

“Lynmore Primary School students and members of our IHC community are taking part in our ‘Bird Feeders in the Forest’ event, where they’ll learn about our native birds and forest ecosystems.

“Rotorua MP Todd McClay is also coming along to help make bird feeders which we’re going to hang around the visitor centre to attract birdlife.”

Ms Wilkinson said ‘Tales by Torchlight’ under The Redwoods sail is a free event between 6pm and 7.30pm featuring local entertainers The Travelling Tuataras, and promises to be a great night out.

“Families are invited to come along to our enchanting ‘Tales by Torchlight’ evening, where locals young and old can experience the magic and mystery of the forest at night.

“People should wear warm clothes and bring a blanket, torch, something to sit on, and maybe a hot water bottle if they need extra warmth.”

On Thursday [13 September] from 1.15pm to 2.30pm RDC is once again coordinating its Utuhina Stream bank restoration planting programme at Ray Boord Park.

RDC parks horticultural officer Mark Paget said the restoration of streamside native vegetation will help to protect and enhance the city stream.

“The primary role is to clean the area up, which includes getting rid of noxious weeds and willows which encroach into the stream, and replant with native vegetation. This will protect the stream banks and provide food source and cover for birds, and generally enhance the area.”

Mr Paget encourages participants to bring a spade with them if they have one.

[ENDS]

© Scoop Media