Around 130 people attended the three workshops in the greater Wellington region to discuss
how to build greater community involvement in conservation.
DOC organised the workshops, with support from regional and district councils in
Wellington, Hutt Valley and the Kapiti Coast.
The aim of the meetings was to discuss establishing a network of interested community
groups and organisations to foster awareness of and involvement in conservation in the
urban setting.
Groups would share skills, experience and knowledge via the network, which would also
provide and distribute resources including educational material, a group directory,
calendar of events and an up to date website.
Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society Lower Hutt Branch Chair Stan Butcher said his
group was keen to be part of a network.
"Since 1981 we have been revegetating Matiu/Somes Island and we look forward to being
able to share our experience and gain knowledge from other groups," Stan said.
At the workshop Mike Peters of the New Zealand Ecological Restoration Network (NZERN)
spoke about the development of the Christchurch based urban network. NZERN grew out of
Addington Bush Society, a group of eight neighbouring families who joined up their
backyards to plant native trees and shrubs.
Five years on the national network has just over 130 group members with about 3000
affiliated members and provides a range of ongoing support. NZERN won the Environment
Canterbury - Landcare Research Special Award last year.
The Wellington project to establish a conservation network is part of a Conservation
Awareness urban advocacy programme.
Over the next few months a series of workshops will be organised on specific issues of
interest such as wetland restoration, weed management and using the website -
www.bush.org.nz.
A full day event towards the end of May will provide an opportunity for groups to get
together from the Wellington Region to have a 'show and tell', hear some key speakers and
share ideas on ecological restoration.
