Conservation Week 2026: Always Be Naturing

Year 6 Environmental Science Protecting New Zealand's Wildlife 20-26 April 2026

What is Conservation Week?

Annual celebration of New Zealand's nature Runs from 20-26 April every year Theme for 2026: 'Always Be Naturing' About making conservation a daily habit

Why Do We Need Conservation?

What makes New Zealand's wildlife special? What threats do our native animals face?

The Birth of Earth Day

April 22, 1970 - First Earth Day Created by US Senator Gaylord Nelson Inspired by 1969 California oil spill 20 million Americans participated

Earth Day Timeline: From Local to Global

Earth Day Goes Global

1990: First global Earth Day 141 countries participated 200 million people took action Led to 1992 UN Earth Summit in Rio

Earth Day Today

'Our Power, Our Planet' - Earth Day 2026 Theme Over 1 billion people participate 193 countries involved World's largest civic-focused day of action

From Earth Day to Conservation Week

New Zealand's own conservation celebration Focuses on our unique native species Department of Conservation leads activities Schools and communities get involved

Activity 1: Birdsong Mindfulness Sound Map

Sit quietly for 5 minutes Listen to sounds around you Draw a map of what you hear Use symbols for different bird calls

Meet the Kākāpō

World's only flightless parrot Only 236 left in the wild Lives on predator-free islands Weighs up to 4kg - heaviest parrot!

Activity 2: Kākāpō Love Island Live Stream

Watch DOC Kākāpō Cam online Observe mama Rakiura and her chick Record feeding and nesting behaviors Note the technology keeping them safe

Island Sanctuaries: Safe Havens

Predator-free islands protect native species Remove rats, stoats, and possums Allow native birds to breed safely Examples: Kapiti Island, Tiritiri Matangi