No Images? Click here Predator control doubles native bird numbers in the Landsborough valleyThanks to 20 years of trapping and aerial 1080 treatment, native birds are flourishing in this remote South Westland valley. It's DOC's longest study charting the response of birds to pest control, and it shows the value of science to inform conservation management. Image: Neil Sloan © Great WalksDifferential pricing trial 2018/19We're trialling differential pricing on our most popular Great Walks. International visitors will pay more than New Zealanders. New Great Walks shortlistAfter public consultation, we're assessing a shortlist of seven multi-day walks for their potential to join our existing Great Walks. Planning a Great Walk? Create a new account now. Bookings are open for some walks. National Volunteer Week, 17–23 June 2018Volunteer for conservation and become part of an active community. This year, we're celebrating the role volunteering plays in keeping our communities strong and healthy. Live, laugh, share – volunteer NatureSeals need rest not rescueWith winter comes an influx of seal pups, sometimes far inland. They may look distressed and scrawny, and they may sneeze, cough and have weepy eyes, but they don't need help. Boost for Taranaki natureAn ambitious plan to eradicate pests from Taranaki will get an $11.7 million funding injection from Predator Free 2050 Ltd. The funding is being matched by local government and other funders at a ratio of more than three to one, with a total project budget of $47 million over five years. Nice tussocksThe Heaphy Track boasts a lot of red tussock (Chionochloa rubra) on the Gouland Downs. Harry Broad thinks they're worthy of admiration. What do you know about this favourite takahē food? Our workStudying tāiko/black petrelTāiko are the seabird most at risk from commercial fishing, and they're caught in New Zealand waters. James Ranstead, a Sir Peter Blake-DOC Ambassador, tells us about studying tāiko on Great Barrier Island (Aotea Island). Aerial 1080Learn about 1080, including monitoring results and fake 1080 news (the kiwi pictured were killed by cars and dogs). Aerial 1080 is the only method that can be deployed rapidly to manage a pest boom over vast or rugged terrain. It helps to protect New Zealand’s native plants and animals from extinction. Kākāpō KingdomOur Kākāpō Recovery education resource comes with a series of videos developed by our partners Meridian Energy. Photo of the monthEntoloma hochstetteri is an iconic species of blue mushroom found in New Zealand woodlands. It's the only fungi in the world to feature on a banknote – our $50 note. According to a Tūhoe story, the kōkako gets its blue wattles by rubbing its cheek against this mushroom – hence the Māori name, werewere kōkako (the wattles of the kōkako). See more from DOC
Correction: In last month's issue, we said ants had been found on Kapiti Island. In fact, they have been found at the mainland visitor departure point: Argentine ants threaten Kapiti Island |