Activities galore for Conservation Week

An increase in the number of tourism providers participating in Conservation Week activities this year will provide exciting opportunities for Rotorua residents, according to the Department of Conservation (DOC).

Three tourism providers are running public Conservation Week events while a number of other businesses are participating in events by either sponsoring prizes or getting their staff involved.

DOC ranger Caraline Abbot said River Rats and Canopy Tours were involved with national celebrations while the Blue Lake Top 10, Rotorua Lakes Council and Kaitiaki Adventures had joined to "make 2015 a year to remember".

"This year's Conservation Week has really taken a step up as new businesses have come on board and I'm confident that there's something for everyone to enjoy.

"Families have the opportunity to get up close to glow worms around the Blue Lake with guided tours put on by the managers of the Blue Lake Top 10."

River Rats are repeating a litter clean up event that has been run in previous Conservation Weeks.

Local residents are able to visit the summit of Mount Tarawera thanks to an open day being organised by Kaitiaki Adventures and Rawihuia 2B Trust.

"A key area of work for DOC is creating opportunities for local business to become involved in the restoration and protection of Rotorua's natural heritage.

"It's great to see these local businesses taking the initiative to step up and use Conservation Week as an opportunity to celebrate their contribution," Mrs Abbott said.

Rotorua residents have the opportunity to win $1500 of flights with Air New Zealand as part of a national geocaching challenge.

Meanwhile, locals are also being encouraged to hunt rats and mice as part of a community rodent hunt organised by DOC.

The person who traps the most rats and mice between November 1 and 8 will be awarded tickets to Rotorua Canopy Tours.

"We thought a community rodent hunt would be a great conservation week activity for community groups like Brownies and scouts but also local businesses," Mrs Abbott said.

Competition entry conditions include obtaining landowner permission to trap on their land and covering traps to make sure children, pets and native wildlife are not at risk of being trapped.

Participants are asked to email DOC a photo of their dead rodents at the end of Conservation Week.

For full details of Conservation Week events, visit www.doc.govt.nz.