Behind the Scenery

Forest and Bird, Volume 20, Issue 4, 1 November 1989, Page 3

Behind the Scenery

Hugh Barr

Outdoor Recreation in Otago: Volume 2 Silver Peaks and Otago’s Alps by Bruce Mason (1989), Publ by Federated Mountain Clubs of NZ, 104 pages, price $30 incl GST (25% discount to Forest and Bird members). This is the second and final volume, covering the remainder of Otago not covered in Volume 1 (the Central Otago Block Mountains). It deals with lands broadly suitable for conservation and recreation but not necessarily administered by the Department of Conservation. Most Forest and Bird members will generally know Otago for Mt Aspiring National Park, Lakes Wanaka and Wakatipu, and the Otago skifields. But Otago has much more than these areas, and these two volumes cast a conservation and recreational spotlight on them for the first time. Many will be amazed and stimulated by the interesting Otago areas outside the national parks, highlighted in these volumes. If anything, Bruce Mason has achieved a higher standard of presentation in Volume 2 with more than 150 clear and often stunning

black and white photos, by a range of Otago recreationists. The book very effectively summarises the history, natural features, geology, vegetation, scenery and land tenure issues. It is not a guide book, but rather a handbook giving

a broad overview and picture of the recreational characteristics and management issues of each area. Overall Outdoor Recreation in Otago Volume 2, gives us the scenery, but gets behind it to the history, geology and land use issues, with perceptive and careful arguments. Otago is one of the few areas of New Zealand where the public protection of natural, recreational and scenic mountain lands is presently inadequate. The book is a timely pointer to balanced reservation, even though the path may not be easy. #&

Note: Outdoor Recreation in Otago Volumes 1 and 2 is available at a special combined price of $45 (reduction of $15. Write to FMC, Po Box 1604, Wellington with your order).