'Old Blue' Awards for Branch Activists

Forest and Bird, Issue 297, 1 August 2000, Page 42

'Old Blue' Awards for Branch Activists

conservation group and four branch activists received "Old Blue’ awards at the annual council dinner of Forest and Bird in Wellington. The awards (which bear the name of the single hen black robin which saved her species in the Chatham Islands) were made to: * Roy Peacock for his outstanding contribution to conservation and the Hastings-Havelock North branch, including the development of Blowhard Bush, pest control, heritage trails, and historical writing. * Jan Butcher for her dedication over many years as chair of Franklin Forest and Bird, promoting environmental education, and fostering a love for nature in the local community. * Claire Stevens of North Shore Forest and Bird for her sus-

tained work for conservation, including involvement in the great forest conservation battles in both North and South Islands, serving on the national executive of the Society, and locally with projects such as the restoration of Tiritiri Matangi in the Auckland region. * Valerie Campbell of Christchurch for her energy and vision in conservation in North Canterbury, particularly with the Kiwi Conservation Club over the past 10 years; also helping Christchurch rediscover its native heritage in restoration projects and weed control. * The Fensham Crew are the people who have turned the Society’s Fensham Reserve in the Wairarapa into an ecological showplace. They have removed pines and old man’s

beard to help restore an ancient remnant of plains forest and its associated wetland.

* Nicky Hager won the ‘outside award’ for his work in rainforest conservation, see story page 12.