2 August 2004
New Auckland conservation awards announced
A Great Barrier conservation project took top prize in the inaugural Auckland conservation awards announced by the
Minister of Conservation yesterday.
The Windy Hill - Rosalie Bay Catchment Trust was among six groups to receive the Department of Conservation-nominated
awards for contributions to conservation in the Auckland region.
Other winners were groups that have helped to restore public conservation land on Tiritiri Matangi, Motuora and Motutapu
islands, protect the WW II defence site at Stony Batter on Waiheke Island, and introduce conservation to large numbers
of Auckland's Chinese community.
DOC Auckland Conservator Rob McCallum said the groups stood out for their vision, hard work and achievement for
conservation.
"All these groups have shown a desire to improve our conservation heritage for future generations. Their work has made a
real difference."
Mr McCallum also praised the community effort on a range of conservation projects in Auckland.
"We developed these awards to acknowledge the impressive and growing conservation work being done by the community and
there are many other groups and volunteers out there that deserve recognition."
The conservation awards mark the start of Conservation Week, which this year celebrates community involvement in
conservation.
Certificates were also given to nineteen other groups and individuals who have also made their mark in conservation.
Groups that received awards were:
Windy Hill - Rosalie Bay Catchment Trust - Stella Frances Award for Conservation Excellence: for pest control and
habitat restoration on private land, including re-introducing North Island robin.
Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi - Conservation Achievement Award in Biodiversity Protection: for extensive work in
restoring Tiritiri Matangi Island, including re-introducing tuatara to the island.
Motuora Restoration Society - Conservation Achievement Award in Ecological Restoration: for progress with an ambitious
project to re-plant and restore this pest-free island.
Stony Batter Protection and Restoration Society - Conservation Achievement Award in Historic Conservation: for work
restoring this historic defence site and developing it as a visitor destination.
Motutapu Restoration Trust - Conservation Achievement Award in Partnerships and Community Involvement: for getting large
numbers of Aucklanders involved in the replanting and development of this island recreation reserve.
Chinese Conservation Education Trust - Conservation Achievement Award in Education and Awareness: for bringing
conservation to Auckland's fast-growing Chinese community.
ENDS