Conservation Week brings the Parks alive
2 September 2008
September 7 to 14 is Conservation Week 2008 and what better time to get out there and get active.
With Spring blooming into Summer, now is the time to take advantage of the many parks and waterways offering free opportunities for recreation for all paces and interests.
From quiet relaxation to energetic, physical activity, Kay Holder from Christchurch City Council Parks says Conservation Week is the perfect excuse to remind people of the wonderful natural environment and recreational space our city is so recognised for.
“We have such a quality space for recreational activity and relaxation right in the heart of our city. Its so easy to get to a native forest, wild beach or tussock covered hilltop from anywhere in Christchurch. Conservation week is a time to celebrate our local environment.”
Christchurch City is recognised as New Zealand’s ‘Garden City’ and has a diversity of parks and waterways to give its local residents a quality recreational and natural environment.
You can choose from the hills, coast, forests, waterways or local urban parks to meet your skills and interests.
With the Botanic Gardens providing the finest collection of exotic and indigenous plants to be found anywhere in New Zealand and Hagley Park’s 165 hectares of wide open spaces and mature woodlands, they are space valued for recreation and entertainment close to the city centre.
“Conservation Week is a great reminder for locals to get back into basic outdoor activities. Especially at this time of the year when the weather and daylight hours are making it easy to get out into the great outdoors.”
The Christchurch City Council’s Learning Through Action environmental education team provides free educational packages where schools can take students on a series of outdoor activities within the city.
“We encourage schools to embrace the coming week to support educating students about local conservation projects happening in the area and use our educational packages as tools for the children’s active learning.”
Visit the Christchurch City Council www.ccc.govt.nz to find out more on educational packages, park locations and activities available in a location near you.
Throughout Conservation Week 2008, DOC and TVNZ Family on TVNZ 6 are teaming up to provide locals with easy ways to enjoy conservation and learn about community conservation projects.
Get out and Meet the Locals, Tutakitia te Iwi Kainga, is about taking part in events and activities to learn about the natural landscape, native species, people and historic places that make your region unique.
“There are events happening all over the region so I urge families to get involved and enjoy the wonderful parks and wildlife we are so privileged to have.”
Conservation Week is holding many events in the Canterbury region:
Meet the Firefighters
Come to an open day at the DOC Rural Fire Depot in Rangiora.
Date: Saturday 6 September
Time: 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Venue: DOC Regional Fire Depot, 28 Oxford Road, Rangiora
- Discover the Dockside foothills
Meet local DOC staff and receive information about recreation opportunities in the local foothill forests: recreation, hunting and local projects.
Date: Sunday 7 September
Time: 10am - 2pm
Venue: Oxford Information Kiosk - outside the Waimakariri District Council Service Centre (between the Oxford Farmers Market and local craft market)
Come to an information packed evening on everything DOC does in your local backyard. Meet other groups and organisations that also look after and enjoy our public conservation lands, including: Search and Rescue; Ashley - Rakahuri Rivercare Group; local tramping / walking and mountain biking clubs and volunteer firefighters.
Date: Wednesday 10 September
Time: 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Venue: Chervier Centre, 41 Victoria Street, Rangiora (hall next to St Josephs School with off-street parking)
- Meet the endangered birds of the Ashley River
Join a guided tour up the Ashley River and see the special ecology of braided rivers. Learn what is threatening their on-going survival and what local groups are doing to protect these very special locals.
Organisation: Ashley – Rakahuri Rivercare Group Inc
Date: Sunday 14 September
Time: 1:30pm - 4pm
Venue: Meet at picnic area by the Ashley - Loburn Bridge
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