Nick explains why he has chosen Miro Conservation Group

Eastbourne is a small community that sits on a narrow strip of land between the hills and the foreshore of Wellington harbour. We have lived there for 25 years and the access to the bush directly behind the community was a big attraction to us.  During our time there we have seen a noticeable increase in the birdlife around our home including Kereru, flocks of Tui feeding on the Kowhai trees, and for the first time this year, we have had fantails in our garden.  All of this has happened through the commitment of the MIRO volunteers who have worked tirelessly to trap predators for the last 20 years. I can clearly recall meeting one of my neighbours when he proudly announced he had just caught his 1000^th possum.

More recently MIRO has turned their efforts to supporting the Banded Dotterel’s which nest on the expansive pebble beaches. It’s always a fun challenge for us on family walks along the beach to try to spot these superbly camouflaged birds.

Liddy explains why she has chosen Manawahe Eco Trust

The hills of Manawahe are quite special to me. They are steep and rugged and form a distinctive change from the farms on the plains. I find it amazing that a remnant population of Kokako was found there around 30 years ago. This truly demonstrates how rugged and lonely this place is. In addition to the rare Kokako, Manawahe also features ancient trees and the rare King fern.

What I like about the Manawahe Eco Trust is its focus on education. They realise that to ensure a continuation of conservation efforts, they need to raise the next generation of volunteers.

It is through this focus on education that I came to know the Manawahe Eco Trust, as one of my daughters went to a conservation camp with her school. This was nearly ten years ago, and our family members have been volunteers ever since. A few years of these, I myself was their environmental educator.

Adrian explains why he has chosen to support the Aongatate Forest Project

Walking in the wood when we first arrived in NZ 11 years ago, one thing that really struck me was how quiet it was with almost no bird song. As I began to understand the reason why, I realised the importance of supporting the efforts to change it. Living on the edge of the Kaimai ranges we are beginning to see the benefits with flocks of Kereru, Tui & Wax eyes now being regular visitors to the garden.

In my lifetime the amount of wilderness has reduced by 50% and it’s so important that we look after what is left and the biodiversity in it, for the generations to come. The Aongatate Forest Project is doing great work in my area.

David Hall explains why he has chosen to support Biodiversity Hawkes Bay

For me, Biodiversity has always felt a little like the poor relation in the whole sustainability piece. Losing out to the more visible elements like Climate Change and Sea Level rise. Biodiversity is a critical piece of the puzzle which, if neglected will have potentially catastrophic consequences for all of us  (e.g. loss of pollinators). It’s something that’s always been from of mind for me having spent many hours/ days/ weeks on the side of rivers with my two boys and their kayaking events and have seen the gradual erosion of, not only the rivers themselves but the surrounding land and native habitats.

Biodiversity Hawkes Bay is doing a lot of good work funding projects at all levels and has a great strategy in place to start undoing the damage that has been done to the region in the last 200 years.

Geerten explains why he has chosen Whakatane Kiwi Trust

My favourite local walk is Ngā Tapuwae o Toi, or the ‘Footprints of Toi’, which connects Whakatāne with Ōhope Beach. Both coastal and bush environments are stunning, with superb views of Moutohorā / Whale Island and Whakaari / White Island. The Pōhutukawa are majestic, the Nīkau lush, and when the pūriri flower the forest floor is a purple carpet. The bush is alive with Tūī, Riroriro (Grey Warbler), and Bellbird (Korimako). After sunset when these birds go quiet, a special resident makes itself heard. It is an awe-inspiring moment when you sit quietly in the bush in the dark and hear the Kiwi call. The shrieking sound competes with Weka and Ruru as it echoes around the valleys of Mokorua Gorge and Ōhope Scenic reserves, often multiple birds in response. This special place is looked after by the Whakatāne Kiwi Trust who monitor the birds, complete pest control, provide education and resources, and are a strong and effective advocate for the cause. I hope that for years to come our native fauna and flora continues to rebound and thrive, and that Kiwi calls in suburban neighbourhoods become ubiquitous.