Canterbury biodiversity strategy launch hugely inspiring says Minister of Conservation

 After visiting a number of biodiversity projects on Banks Peninsula this week, Conservation Minister Hon. Steve Chadwick said she was overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and dedication of those involved in biodiversity projects. She was in Canterbury to launch the first region-wide biodiversity strategy.

“What I learnt today was that no one individual can tackle environmental issues on their own, it's got to be a collaborative approach. Government departments and councils can't do it all. If we are going to increase awareness and make an impact, we've got to do it together,” she said.

About 50 people joined the Minister on a bus tour of local Banks Peninsula conservation projects, organised by Environment Canterbury on behalf of the strategy’s advisory group. As well as viewing covenanted areas of bush on local farms, the Minister learned of Lake Wairewa catchment initiatives from local runanga spokesperson Iaean Cranwell and handled a jewelled skink when she met with local lizard expert Marieke Lettink at Birdlings Flat.

In her speech at a function at Lansdowne Homestead later in the day, the Minister acknowledged that private landowners have a critical role to play in saving at-risk native plants and animals. “Many of our most threatened ecosystems and species are now only found on private land, or are critically dependent on those habitats,” she said.

The Minister also announced that ECan was successful in obtaining funding for a Biodiversity Coordinator to work with the advisory group on implementing the strategy.

A copy of the strategy is available on ECan’s website www.ecan.govt.nz/biodiversity  www.ecan.govt.nz/biodiversity  or see earlier release and contact details www.ecan.govt.nz/About+Us/DisplayMediaRelease.html?id=1054 .