No Images? Click here Nature needs us to take action nowJoin us from this Saturday 14 to 22 September to celebrate 50 years of Conservation Week/Te Wiki Tiaki Ao Tūroa. With more than 4,000 species threatened or at risk, nature needs us to take action now. You can take part by doing a conservation activity or attending an event. Explore the links below to find out more: Whai painga roa – In it for goodConservation work takes more than just scientific knowledge and skills. It needs passion, determination and cooperation. In our four part mini series, we introduce you to DOC team members to hear about what they do to help nature thrive, and why they love it. The third video celebrates te Wiki o te reo Māori featuring Rob in his role as kaitakawaenga (relationship lead) with Ngā Whenua Rāhui. Rob tells his story in te reo about how he believes that there’s a connection to the natural world in all of us. Watch the full series. Search and rescue finds mountain climbing kiwiA rare rowi kiwi named Aroha who had strayed far from her lowland forest home of Lake Gault is now safe. We organised a Search and Rescue training exercise from LandSAR to retrieve her from her trapped position on a cliff face in the snowy mountains of South Westland. RecreationHooker Valley Track now openHooker Valley Track in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park has been repaired and now is open for visitors. The track is known for its magnificent views of alpine glacial lakes and the Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o te Moana. Taranaki Crossing upgrade is underwayAn exciting project for Taranaki Crossing has been announced. 30 km of existing tracks will be expanded and upgraded. This will create jobs and boost visitor access to Mt Taranaki. Tauranga tracks open and fitted with new hygiene stationsTen tracks which were closed in 2018 are now open after significant upgrade work to help prevent the spread of kauri dieback disease. This included additional safety checks and installation of new hygiene stations. Get involvedNew Toyota Kiwi Guardians medal launchedYou could be one of the first families to complete the new Coastal Protector - Kaiwhakamaru Takutai action medal. Your child also has a chance to be the 50,000th medal claimer during Conservation Week's medal challenge. Image: Andrew Walmsley | © Travelling with taongaWithout permits, there is a risk personal taonga (cultural treasure) will be confiscated during your travel if they're made from, or with, animal parts such as feathers and bone or kākahu (cloaks). To make sure it arrives with you safely, you may need permits from one or more agencies. Image: DOC Seeking pest fish Gambusia sightingsGambusia is one of the world’s most invasive species and preys on native insects and fish including whitebait. With the whitebaiting season underway, we're asking you to report any sightings across Nelson Tasman. Image: R Falleiros | DOC Our workFox Glacier/Te Moeka o Tuawe road access closed$3.9 million will be invested to boost South Westland’s stunning visitor attractions as the Fox Glacier/Te Moeka o Tuawe valley access road will remain closed indefinitely. Read about the development of alternative attractions for the area. Image: DOC Octopus invasion at Banks Peninsula Marine ReserveLast summer our marine rangers returned to Banks Peninsula's marine reserves and surrounding coasts for a second ever baited underwater video survey. The survey results will show how time can influence the fish population. New Zealand Defence Force help protect tara itiWe're working with NZDF and kaitiaki of Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara to protect the rare New Zealand fairy tern/tara iti. NatureSeven names our Royal Cam chick could’ve hadAnd the winner is... Karere. We received hundreds of entries from Royal Cam fans all over the world to name the chick, did yours make the shortlist? Image: DOC New protection for bottlenose dolphinThe Bay of Islands bottlenose dolphin population has fallen by 66% since 1999 to a core group of only 19 dolphins frequently visiting. We've put in place new permit conditions to help protect them. Image: zassle | Creative Commons Toanui making a comeback in TaranakiA survey of flesh-footed shearwater/ toanui on Motumahanga Island in Taranaki has seen great results. Initial estimates suggest there are between 500-600 pairs – a big increase on the 100-200 pairs found in a 1990 survey. IImage: Mike Bell | DOC Image: Andrew Walmsley | © Photo of the monthThe Fiordland crested penguin/tawaki, is one of the rarest of New Zealand’s mainland penguins. Since the 1950s, the tawaki population has been in decline – with only 2,500-3,000 breeding pairs currently. See more from DOC |