No Images? Click here Take action for our biodiversity“New Zealand, like the rest of the world, is losing species and ecosystems at a rate never seen before” - Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage We're leading the development of a new National Biodiversity Strategy - Te Koiroa o te Koiora. This strategy will set out how Aotearoa will protect and restore nature, from our mountain tops to the ocean depths, as part of an international commitment to protect biodiversity. We need you! Find out more and join the national discussion on what we can do to protect our precious biodiversity. Royal Cam chick has a nameThe Royal Cam 'name the chick' competition has closed. Thanks for your amazing entries and congratulations to Jonathan for submitting the winning name. Introducing Karere - meaning messenger, ambassador. Watch Nic Toki announce the name on The Project. Image: DOC Update from LouRecreationHump Ridge on track to be our next Great WalkThe 61 km track showcases spectacular southern coastline, forests, alpine tops and historic viaducts. We'll be working with the Tuatapere Hump Ridge Trust to upgrade the track to a three night experience which opens in late 2022. Whitebaiting season 2019 kicks offThis year’s season started this week, with a reminder to whitebaiters to follow the rules to protect the whitebait fishery. Four of the six whitebait species are categorised as either threatened or at risk of extinction. Image: Jo Macpherson | DOC Where is the money from our international visitors going?Investment projects to be funded by visitors to New Zealand have been announced. $18 million will be invested across 10 tourism and conservation projects, funded from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy. Image: Image: Andrew Digby | DOC Get involvedNew volunteer opportunitiesNew opportunities for volunteers have been launched in the Otago, Fiordland and Southland regions. Volunteers play a vital role in conservation throughout New Zealand. Find an activity to suit your skills and interests. Image: Image: DOC Our workMeet our rangers: World Ranger DayWorld Ranger Day acknowledges the critical work of rangers on the front line of conservation across the globe. Meet some of our dedicated rangers and learn more about the work they do. Image: DOC Mohua/yellowhead population faces local extinctionThe population in the Dart, Caples and Routeburn Valleys are currently protected by a network of over 1,000 traps. But with predator numbers exploding due to this year's mega mast, more intensive protection is needed to ensure a successful breeding season. Image: Sabine Bernert | © Story time: Using satellites to save the kākā"It’s a stormy day in Fiordland. With a potential break in the weather ahead, it might just be enough time for science advisors Terry Greene and Emma Williams to complete their mission: find and tag some elusive juvenile kākā." Image: Terry Greene | DOC NatureBreeding boost for orange-fronted kākārikiOur rarest mainland forest bird, the kākāriki karaka/orange-fronted parakeet, is having its best breeding season in decades. This is due to the heavy beech seeding in our forests, with at least 150 wild-born chicks so far this season. Latest news on the Fiordland skinkA small population of Fiordland skinks have managed to survive, despite some of their predator free island homes being so low that storms wash right over them. But how? Read about the team's latest lizard survey and their findings. Saving the hoiho - the star of our $5 notesHoiho/yellow-eyed penguins are a nationally endangered species. The Yellow-eyed Penguin Recovery Strategy/Te Kaweka Takohaka mō te Hoiho establishes the steps we can take to restore hoiho populations. Image: Brent Beaven | DOC Image: Andrew Walmsley Photo of the monthHelp us protect our native wildlife and leave your pets at home when visiting a national park. See more from DOC |