Kiwi Conservation Club North Canterbury
The Kiwi Conservation Club (KCC) is a kids group under the umbrella of Forest and Bird New Zealand. Children who become members receive four magazines a year that are packed full of information, photos and activities relating to caring for our environment and all the wonderful plants and creatures that we share this incredible world with. As members they are invited to attend outings a couple of times a term. These outings may be several hours long or even several days, as an overnight camp is planned most years.
In 2024 I became a Coordinator for the KCC North Canterbury Branch. While most events are based around Christchurch, as a Hurunui local I am planning to offer more in our region. My first foray as KCC Coordinator was to Motunau Beach, for the kids to hunt for fossils, discover life in the rock pools, watch birds, splash in the waves and just take time to be outside. There are many wonderful places within the Hurunui District that children would enjoy visiting, such as trips to Mackintosh’s Beach, Mount Cass, Tiromoana Bush, the Waipara River, Gore Bay and the Weka Pass Maori rock drawings to name just a few.
I believe children need to spend as much time outside as possible. If they develop interest in and empathy for their local environment from an early age it will continue into adulthood and hopefully they will take care with how they live their life and the effect they have on their surroundings. The delicate ecosystems that surround us need to be noticed but also protected. Biodiversity needs to be nurtured and encouraged.
I hope you and your children will join me on this life adventure.
Deschia Sutherland, Scargill.
Contact: [email protected]