'Leaving living legacy' local theme for conservation week

Ruapehu Bulletin, 3 August 1993, Page 2 (Supplement)

'Leaving living legacy' local theme for conservation week

"Leaving a living legacy" and "What is living in you back yard" are the two themes for the local area for Conservation Week, 2-8 August. The third annual Waimarino Schools poster competition is being run now, with results out on 20 August. Conservation officer Rob McCallum said ac-

tivities would run outside the week, through to November, with things planned to coincide with other school projects. Primary Schools in the area will be working on "what is living in my back yard," while secondary school pupils will look at the living legacy theme. Conservation officer Rob McCallum said a lot

of people don't see themselves as being involved in conservation, but that many people are directly linked. "Some local farmers with blocks of bush for example, are directly linked to the future of species such as the North Island Brown Kiwi and the Blue Duck. "These farmers can be

very active in conservation by ensuring these pockets of habitat are preserved - thus 'leaving a living legacy." Rob said the Department of Conservation was trying to get people to save those small blocks. "There are a lot of ways to save them (from being cleared) without

giving them up," he said. Options range from outright acquisition by DoC by purchase, gift or exchange, through to a mutually agreed covenant on the land. The Queen Elizabeth II Trust can offer covenant options, where they provide some money for legal fees, fences and other costs.