Wellbeing the focus of Conservation Week

 

Northland communities are being encouraged to ‘look at nature through new eyes’ during Conservation Week 2020, which this year is from 15 to 23 August.

Conservation Week is an annual event led by the Department of Conservation (DOC), and this year’s focus is on the well-being benefits of spending time in nature, says DOC director general Lou Sanson.

“After the Covid-19 lockdown, many of us look at life and our world with different perspectives,” he says. “Nature hasn’t changed – but we have. We’ve slowed down and taken time to reflect on the most important things in our lives. Take a little time in nature for your wellbeing, and if you can, give a little back to nature for its wellbeing.”

Many New Zealanders found their solace in their daily exercise during the Covid-19 lockdown to engaging with nature through visits to their local parks, beaches and waterways, Lou Sanson says.

“Although we had to limit contact with each other during the lockdown, and people couldn’t explore the deeper areas of the land DOC is responsible for, that didn’t mean they couldn’t spend time in nature,” he says. “For many of us, nature helped us through a pretty unusual time – and we need to carry that forward into our lives in the Covid-19 world.”

Lou Sanson says DOC has tens of thousands of beautiful natural areas for people to enjoy – and Conservation Week is DOC’s way of reminding all New Zealanders how good it can be for their well-being and health.

“You don’t have to be a tramper, hiker, skier, hunter or angler to enjoy nature, and spending time with nature will make you feel good and reflect how fortunate we are to have it around us – so that’s our push for Conservation Week 2020

DOC community ranger Helen Ough Dealy says: “Protecting our well-being comes in all kinds of forms. Northland’s Conservation Week 2020 has a variety of activities that support the well-being and interests of people of all ages, from weaving a flax basket to listening to talks by marine biologists, taking part in fun family games and activities to orienteering and geocaching in some of Northland’s wonderful Department of Conservation-managed reserves.”