CONSERVATION OF RESERVES AND SANCTUARIES.

Forest and Bird, Issue 11, 1 October 1926, Page 7

CONSERVATION OF RESERVES AND SANCTUARIES.

E. V. SANDERSON, Hon. Secretary, N.Z. Native Bird Protection Society.

With reference to this matter, it is presumably unnecessary to state how our reserves and sanctuaries are controlled, and the many departments with ever-changing Ministers and bodies which participate in this control, a system which can ■only lead in the end to nowhere, and, what is worse, to great confusion.

Departments are often placed in unenviable positions •owing to this diversified control ; one body will frequently be working in opposition to others, needless expense is incurred, any expert knowledge available is diffused and wasted, and Ministers are pestered with the representations of various interests, each seeking to use these reserves for their own •ends instead of nationally.

Now, how can all this be obviated? Might not a board of .gentlemen, with a New Zealand national spirit, be set up under a Department, but elected mainly by scenery and bird preservation organisations, to supervise the care of all reserves, etc. ? To give good results this Board would have to be a small one ■of not more than five members (large Boards are expensive and cumbersome). The members of this Board would consist ■of gentlemen skilled in forest and bird life, in conservation, and certainly of one member at least expert in organisation and business methods. (Scientists invariably fail in this matter, as they are not trained in business.) Now, the first essential is to get the public on the right side, and this can be done by issuing interesting literature on forest and bird life and such like. Tell them it is theirs to care for and cherish, also that these truly wonderful possessions of the people are unique, and detail after detail of intense interest could be given. For this purpose we might adopt the method of having just a small combined publicity and research Depattment under the Board of Control. The research man or men settle the knotty questions in a scientific manner as to whether any plant, bird, or animal should be transferred, introduced, or ■exterminated, and thus save thousands or maybe millions of pounds loss to the country, as witness the rabbit and many other pests introduced into the Dominion. Next, two field inspectors would be required, one for the North 'and one for the South Island; under these, curators on reserves worth the •expense. Small reserves could be left to the honorary care of some local enthusiasts with rangers’ powers. Gaudy enamelled plates should be placed at all likely places of access on all reserves.

Under this system, if the Board was carefully chosen, we could carry out conservation at a minimum of expense, also command the respect of visitors, which we do not at present, and maybe, as we have unsurpassed material to work upon, lead the world in our scenic attractions and reap a rich harvest.

The present idea of inviting tourists to come and see our treasures appears rather like exposing jewels to strangers without ensuring their protection, for at present there is really little attempt at conserving our reserves and sanctuaries, and little skill shown in the attempt. .

The criticism, suggestions, and co-operation of all kindred bodies is solicited in devising improved and modern methods in this matter.