Free restoration day symposium for community volunteers

Registrations are now open for Restoration Day 2016, a long standing free event which aims to upskill volunteers and to celebrate ecological restoration work carried out by community conservation groups across the greater Wellington region. The event was first held in 1995. Restoration Day 2016 will be held in the Wairarapa for the first time since 2007, this year coordinated by Greater Wellington Regional Council.

"We are really excited to be holding the event in the Wairarapa this year. We are able to showcase some exemplary restoration projects including innovative wetland restoration work that has been achieved in this part of the region," GWRC Biodiversity advisor Rebecca Bird said. "Participants will be able to see first-hand the results of some significant work, over a long period of time, by local community groups."

Up to two hundred volunteers are expected to attend the full-day programme which includes practical workshops on: creating wetland systems, water quality issues, scientific monitoring, fish passage solutions for migratory species and pest control, as well as organised transport and lunch. Key note speaker Dr Mike Joy, Massey University Senior Ecology Lecturer, will talk on the 2016 theme: 'Resilient Restoration.'

"Restoration Day 2016 falls on International Migratory Fish Day and our workshop programme reflects work community groups can do to improve stream health for the benefit of native aquatic species."

Restoration Day 2016 will be held on Saturday 21 May, Carterton Events Centre, Wairarapa. Participants are encouraged to take advantage of free transport provided this year. Return-bus services are being offered from Porirua, Wellington City and Hutt City and are free for registered participants. To register for the event and transport go to: www.naturespace.org.nz/wellington-restoration-day-2016. Registrations close Sunday 8 May.

ENDS Contact:

Media phone: 021 914 266

Note to Editors

- Restoration Day 2016 is being coordinated by Greater Wellington Regional Council in collaboration with the Department of Conservation, Wellington City Council, Porirua City Council, Hutt City Council Kapiti Coast District Council, Victoria University of Wellington, Zealandia and WWF; in association with Nature Space.

- Restoration Day began in 1995 and has been run annually since 2001