No images? Click here How to become a DOC rangerWhen we invite followers to 'Ask Me Anything' on our social channels we always get the question 'How do I become a DOC ranger?' We love hearing that! It's inspiring that there are so many people interested in becoming rangers. With our goal to be Predator Free by 2050, young people will have a big role to play in achieving it. Check out this blog post to learn how Georgia became a ranger and the paths you can take to become a DOC ranger. Extreme weather event in FiordlandGood progress is being made by our staff in assessing tracks and structures in Fiordland which were impacted in the recent floods. Read the latest updates on progress. Image: DOC New podcast episodeConservation enthusiast and DOC legend Herb talks to Nic Toki about his experience as a science communicator, navigating the bush before sat nav, being trolled by kea and species protection on offshore islands. He also treats us to some of his famous bird calls. Listen to episode 7 of Sounds of Science podcast. Image: DOC RecreationMoerangi Hut – a hidden gemLooking for a remote hut that doesn't take days to walk to? Trainee Ranger Phillipa shares her experience tramping to one of her favourite huts in Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park on the East Coast. Image: DOC What your apple core can do to our native birdsIt’s just an apple core, right? Many people are unaware of the harm organic waste can do to our wildlife when left out in nature. An apple core can unnecessarily attract predators to areas where our most endangered native species live. Image: Julia Wells | DOC Get involvedProject Moturoa – "the best thing I've ever done"Project Moturoa is a 10 month course that delivers technical conservation skills but with a significant difference. Te Ao Māori is woven throughout with tikanga me ngā uara (protocol and principles) being fundamental to its delivery. Find out more about the 2019 graduates' experience and the 2020 programme. World Wildlife Day competitionIt's World Wildlife Day on 3 March, an international day of celebration to raise awareness for the world's wild animals and plants. Image: DOC Species spotlight: Mountain stone wētāHabitat: Alpine zone in the South island’s central mountain ranges, exposed to high winds and low temperatures year round. Superhero power: The ability to come back from the dead. This species can have up to 80% of its body frozen solid, and then thaw out and carry on with its day. Read more about this wētā and other species spotlights. Our workA guide to camp hosting in the Abel TasmanOn New Year’s Eve two community rangers were dropped off at Onetahuti Beach in Abel Tasman National Park to become first-time volunteer camp hosts. Read about their seven days in paradise in their guide to camp hosting in the Abel Tasman. Image: DOC First northern royal albatross chickThe first northern royal albatross chick has hatched. Here’s a quick peek of the new chick (it’s only a peek because mum was very protective!). Video: DOC World Wetlands Day: Restoring Lake WhangapeHow do we turn more than 50 years of degradation around and restore a huge murky weed-infested lake to its glory days? A good question to ponder on World Wetlands Day 2020. Image: DOC NatureShore plover/tūturuatu find new homeRecently, 18 critically threatened shore plover/tūturuatu were introduced to pest-free Mana Island to help secure the species’ survival. With a population of just 250 individuals, this is a critical step for the species. Image: Jess MacKenzie | DOC Plastic bottle found in albatrossOur behaviours, especially around plastic usage, are negatively impacting some of our most precious taonga species. A recent autopsy of a juvenile southern royal/toroa albatross found a flattened 500 ml plastic bottle and fragments of a balloon in its stomach. This suggests starvation was a likely cause of death. Image: Wildbase | Creative Commons Into the outdoorsHow often do you look at the amazing variety of life below knee level? Vanessa Mander, our North Canterbury Community Ranger, takes us on a walk to the recently renovated Balmoral Fire Lookout and discovers some unique and beautiful critters along the way. Image: Lou Sanson | DOC Photo of the month“It seems that not only has the kākāpō forgotten how to fly, but it has forgotten that it has forgotten how to fly. "Apparently, a seriously worried kākāpō will sometimes run up a tree and jump out of it, whereupon it flies like a brick and lands in a graceless heap on the ground.” – Douglas Adams. See more from DOC |