Manawatu/Whanganui conservation groups
Introduction
Get involved with conservation groups working with DOC in Manawatu/Whanganui.Listed below are some volunteer based groups that you can get involved with. You'll learn new skills, meet like-minded people, contribute to conservation, and increase your connection to your local community and natural spaces.
For more conservation volunteer opportunities in Manawatu/Whanganui volunteer for a DOC project.
A Rocha native plant nursery
Aim: To grow plants for local community conservation projects. The group grows native trees from eco-sourced seed and plants them out in useful locations.
Castlecliff Coast Care
Aim: To restore the Castlecliff sand dunes ecology and stability, and enhance the community's recognition of the value of coastal dunes and their ecological fragility.
Friends of Gordon Park
Aim: To conserve a precious remnant of kahikatea dominated forest at Gordon Park through weed and pest control.
Contact: DOC Whanganui office +64 6 349 2100
Green Corridors
Aim: To build corridors of native vegetation which provide habitat for wildlife along streams from the Tararua Ranges to the Manawatu River, with an initial focus on Turitea then Kahuterawa Stream valleys and tributaries. The group works with Palmerston North City Council.
Green Corridors on Palmerston North City Council website or Facebook page
Oroua Blue Duck Protection Project
Aim: To increase blue duck populations in the Oroua catchment within the Ruahine Forest Park by controlling stoats. Volunteers are needed to set and check traps.
Contact: Janet Wilson jwilson@inspire.net.nz
Pohangina whio protection project
Aim: To protect blue duck/whio from predators along the Pohangina River. The project extends the predator control offered by the Oroua blue duck protection project. Volunteers are needed to set and check traps.
Contact: manawatuvolunteers@doc.govt.nz
Te Potae o Awarua pest control project
Aim: To manage pests in 20,000 ha centred on the north west corner of the Ruahine Ranges, which is celebrated for its biodiversity values. Of particular interest is the protection of a remnant population of North Island brown kiwi - the southern most known population - and whio. Volunteers are needed for trap checking and species monitoring.
Contact: DOC Te Papaioea / Palmerston North Office +64 6 350 9700