No Images? Click here Are you ready to walk the new Paparoa Track?Our latest Great Walk is opening in December and bookings are opening very soon. This purpose built shared-use walking and mountain bike track is a 3 day hike for most walkers (travelling from Smoke-ho car park to Pororari River car park). The 55 km of track goes through beech and podocarp forests, alpine scrub and tussock, mossy rainforest, limestone karst cliff faces and serene glades of nīkau palms. You'll experience strikingly dramatic sheer drops and stunning vistas along the top of the escarpment too. There are two 20-bunk huts on the track. Watch the video below for a sneak peak of the crew finishing up construction on the Moonlight Hut. Track bookings for the Paparoa Great Walk will open at 9:30 am 12 June. New podcast episode: Our LizardsLizard expert Lynn Adams shares tales from the world of reptile conservation – including two near misses for the “curly wurly” tailed Chesterfield skink. Lynn and Threatened Species Ambassador Nic Toki, also discuss the main threats to lizards and what we can do to help protect our native reptiles. Update from Lou SansonLou shares an update on collective bargaining, the World Protected Areas Leaders Forum, Greg Lind’s retirement, the new firearms legislation, the GNS – DOC Relationship Agreement, working flexibly, the Nelson fires and the planning award DOC won recently. RecreationTop 10 things to pack for a day walk or hikeBeing prepared is important when exploring New Zealand's great outdoors. If you're planning on getting out and about, don't forget to pack these important must have items. Yes, snacks are on the list 🍇🍫🍏 Silly seal seasonFrom May to August it’s common for young seals to come ashore, sometimes popping up in strange places! Often they just need rest not rescuing. Watch this video to learn about what to do if you see a seal. Now's the time to visit the new Lake Gault TrackPerched above the renowned Lake Matheson/Te Ara Kairaumati, the newly reopened Lake Gault Track not only has incredible expansive views of the Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o te Moana, it is also recently home to New Zealand’s rarest kiwi, the rowi. Now’s the time to visit, before everyone else discovers this spectacular spot! Get involvedConservation Week: 14-22 September 2019This year is the 50th anniversary of Conservation Week, that was started by The Scouting Association of New Zealand in 1969. Learn more about the history of this event and view some of the past historic posters. Also, have a think about what activities you might do for Conservation Week this year... Taupo fishing licence photo competitionHave you taken a photo that captures the Taupo Trout Fishery? If so, enter the photo competition and be in to win a free Taupo fishing licence. Visit the new interpretative panels on Matiu/Somes IslandThese panels tell the story of Taranaki Whānui and their unique connection to the island. They also share the stories of Māori settlement and history in Wellington Harbour. Matui/Somes Island is a short ferry ride from Wellington waterfront. Our workConservation Dogs debut on TVWe've teamed up with national partner Kiwibank and Whitebaitmedia to produce a series of ten Conservation Dogs Programme stories, Paws on Patrol, for the TVNZ2 show Fanimals. The new Government Tourism Strategy has been announcedThis new strategy released by the Tourism and Conservation Ministers aims to enrich New Zealand-Aotearoa through sustainable tourism growth. "...protecting, restoring and championing our natural environment is an important focus for the Tourism Strategy." Protecting our marine reserves: Auckland’s marine rangersGet a behind the scenes look at the jobs and personalities of the people who work here at DOC. Read about four of our rangers who protect Auckland’s marine reserves – Gabrielle, Ant, Bridgette and Grant. NatureA tough few weeks for the Kākāpō Recovery teamThree adult kākāpō birds have died, with the official kākāpō population now 144. The beloved Hoki was euthanised at Auckland Zoo after deteriorating from an infection. Arab was euthanised following complications during treatment for an eye injury sustained during a fight, and Gumboot got his leg caught in a forked branch and had been unable to free himself. Skraaarrk in peace Hoki, Arab & Gumboot 😢 Image: Andrew Digby | DOC Royal Cam season 4 theme – "Beyond albatross"This year, we're taking a look beyond our royal albatross webcam, bringing you tales of the many and varied species that call Taiaroa Head home - read more on the first of our series of monthly blogs. ... and stick around till the end for a very special dance 💃 Help needed for koi carp and rudd surveillanceWe are working with the Northland Regional Council in the battle against pest fish, koi carp and rudd which are upsetting the balance in our freshwater systems. How you can help: Report any mysterious fish that could be koi carp or rudd. Image: Brian Gratwicke | Creative Commons Photo of the monthWe've just completed a very special milestone. With the help of Air New Zealand, DOC Threatened Species Ambassador Nicola Toki has translocated our 3,000th wildlife passenger – a rowi kiwi chick named Caedance (named by local Iwi Makaawhio). You can catch Nic talking about the very special journey on The Project NZ. See more from DOC |