Just read this kakapo story about a 13 year old girl in Los Angeles who has never been to New Zealand but already seems to understand what conservation is all about.
Let's be honest, with so few kakapo left and with its natural habitat seriously compromised throughout New Zealand, in the grand scheme of things the survival of the species, or any species really, is neither here nor there. Doesn't matter, it is about principle and conservation is simply the right thing to do.
It all comes down to money and will again. Natalie's donation is but a drop in the ocean but the will is there and even if she'd only received and given $100 the principle would be the same. Imagine if the people with the real money took inspiration from her and got the will as well.
Hmm, my daughter Maddie was 11 last week and I think it is time for a chat about what she should be doing with her birthday money...
Friday 17 June 2011
Zealandia correction and tuatara surgery
Richard Fewtrell has emailed me this gentle and modest rebuke in response to my post of 13 June:
"That's very kind of you to talk about me in your blog. I can't take too much credit though; I'm very passionate about this place and our natural environment but the real stars here are our volunteers and conservation staff who spend hours upon hours working in the valley helping us realise our 500 year vision."
And it is some vision. The tuatara, one of New Zealand's unique and very rare reptiles, is part of that vision and extraordinary steps are taken to protect and nurture them as you can see in this story about one of Zealandia's babies.
"That's very kind of you to talk about me in your blog. I can't take too much credit though; I'm very passionate about this place and our natural environment but the real stars here are our volunteers and conservation staff who spend hours upon hours working in the valley helping us realise our 500 year vision."
And it is some vision. The tuatara, one of New Zealand's unique and very rare reptiles, is part of that vision and extraordinary steps are taken to protect and nurture them as you can see in this story about one of Zealandia's babies.
Thursday 16 June 2011
Action in the Catlins
Our good friends Fergus and Mary Sutherland from the Catlins region of New Zealand have been environmental champions for decades now - sorry if that makes you feel old F&M!!
Many of our clients have enjoyed their company and friendship over the last 7 years and have been inspired by their vision for the conservation of wildlife and nature everywhere and in the Catlins in particular.
We are very proud to support them and have helped with a few conservation projects, most recently the Chaslands Tussock Restoration project. The picture of the information panel below explains the project and there is also a little YouTube video.
The panel now needs to be made and erected and a very generous donation of £100 from our clients and former guests of Fergus and Mary, Lew and Chris Robinson from Nantwich in Cheshire, was perfectly timed and will help to get this done. Thank you Lew and Chris!
Many of our clients have enjoyed their company and friendship over the last 7 years and have been inspired by their vision for the conservation of wildlife and nature everywhere and in the Catlins in particular.
We are very proud to support them and have helped with a few conservation projects, most recently the Chaslands Tussock Restoration project. The picture of the information panel below explains the project and there is also a little YouTube video.
The panel now needs to be made and erected and a very generous donation of £100 from our clients and former guests of Fergus and Mary, Lew and Chris Robinson from Nantwich in Cheshire, was perfectly timed and will help to get this done. Thank you Lew and Chris!
Monday 13 June 2011
Little people and big people
Following on from my last post, Richard Fewtrell at Zealandia has sent me a pair of stories which both illustrate the challenges that face conservation but also celebrate the fact that some are fighting the good fight:
"I think we have a big job on our hands! The day I got back home there was a story on the news about Waituna Lagoon in Southland. It's one of our most precious wetlands remaining but it's under massive threat from dairy farming run off.
More info about the area is here.
It was very depressing.
However there are some glimmers of hope. Just last week in the Dominion Post there was an article about a dairy farming couple in Eketahuna who are being praised for their commitment to sustainable farming.
If only more farmers were like them..."
"I think we have a big job on our hands! The day I got back home there was a story on the news about Waituna Lagoon in Southland. It's one of our most precious wetlands remaining but it's under massive threat from dairy farming run off.
More info about the area is here.
It was very depressing.
However there are some glimmers of hope. Just last week in the Dominion Post there was an article about a dairy farming couple in Eketahuna who are being praised for their commitment to sustainable farming.
If only more farmers were like them..."
Making a difference - Zealandia
Our good friend Richard Fewtrell is an eco warrior and a man that we truly admire. There are too few of him, people who see the bigger picture and devote themselves to making a difference, but at least there are a few.
Richard is part of Zealandia in Wellington, a conservation project which aims to restore a little piece of New Zealand to its pre-human state. It is a big job but Zealandia proves that it can be done and if we all take a little share of the responsibility then we can achieve so much more.
I firmly believe that conservation is more about will than money. There is a hell of a lot of cash out there and if we are able to make more people understand why conservation is so important then maybe we will start to see a shift in spending and lifestyle priorities.
At the moment it is all about the "little people" doing their best but if there are enough of them doing it then eventually the "big people" will need to wake up and listen.
Richard is part of Zealandia in Wellington, a conservation project which aims to restore a little piece of New Zealand to its pre-human state. It is a big job but Zealandia proves that it can be done and if we all take a little share of the responsibility then we can achieve so much more.
I firmly believe that conservation is more about will than money. There is a hell of a lot of cash out there and if we are able to make more people understand why conservation is so important then maybe we will start to see a shift in spending and lifestyle priorities.
At the moment it is all about the "little people" doing their best but if there are enough of them doing it then eventually the "big people" will need to wake up and listen.
Wednesday 8 June 2011
And I did try Skycouch in the end...
...which is a very clever idea as you can see - Air New Zealand Skycouch.
I had all three seats to myself between LA and Auckland and it was really quite comfortable. You can't stretch out unless you are about 5ft nothing but I managed to curl up and get a bit of sleep although this was hard as I was continually tormented by the recent memories of my London to LA flight in Business Premier. For a couple travelling together who can't or won't justify the extra cost of Premium Economy or BP, the Skycouch is a great option.
Even without Skycouch, the new Economy on the 777-300 is superb and a huge improvement on the 777-200, so much so that I would now recommend travelling through LAX rather than HK and taking the transit hassle on the chin. The 777-200 seats are seriously short of cushioning and I've always had to ask for extra pillows to sit on but the 300 seats are perfect. Add to this a high quality 10.6" wide format touchscreen TV, power for phones and laptops and some handy storage nooks and crannies and I would say you can't do better in Economy Class with anyone.
I had all three seats to myself between LA and Auckland and it was really quite comfortable. You can't stretch out unless you are about 5ft nothing but I managed to curl up and get a bit of sleep although this was hard as I was continually tormented by the recent memories of my London to LA flight in Business Premier. For a couple travelling together who can't or won't justify the extra cost of Premium Economy or BP, the Skycouch is a great option.
Even without Skycouch, the new Economy on the 777-300 is superb and a huge improvement on the 777-200, so much so that I would now recommend travelling through LAX rather than HK and taking the transit hassle on the chin. The 777-200 seats are seriously short of cushioning and I've always had to ask for extra pillows to sit on but the 300 seats are perfect. Add to this a high quality 10.6" wide format touchscreen TV, power for phones and laptops and some handy storage nooks and crannies and I would say you can't do better in Economy Class with anyone.
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