Join us at Ngā Manu Nature Reserve for Conservation Week 2022 from 5-11th September and take action for nature
We’re excited to present a week full of conservation, discovery and family fun including an after-school conservation club and a weekend full of ranger talks to introduce some of our wonderful reptiles and birds., There’s demonstrations on organic waste and pest control, a pre-loved clothing sale, a sausage sizzle, a coffee cart, eel feeding and face painting.
Taking action not only benefits nature, but also our personal wellbeing. Ka ora te whenua, ka ora te tangata – when the land is well, the people are well.
Join one of Aotearoa’s great conservationists David Mudge to learn about one of our 
most unique native plants (Dactylanthus) and the declining status of our only native owl (Ruru).
We are thrilled to have David Mudge, founding trustee of Ngā Manu Nature Reserve and life-long friend of the late Peter McKenzie two of his passions.
On Saturday 10th at 11:45am David will speak about Dactylanthus (Wood Rose) an extremely rare underground parasitic plant unique to only a few known sites in Aotearoa, including Ngā Manu.
On Sunday 11th at 11.45am David will speak on the Ruru (Morepork) Aotearoa’s only surviving native owl. David will describe the ruru’s decline in numbers due to reduced breeding and secondary poisoning threat from pest control programmes.
Discover and learn with our after-school Conservation Club (6 years plus)
Bugs and grubs: Join Ranger Rhys and discover the world of creepy critters and learn how important they are to our survival. Wed 7th and Friday 9th Sept 3.30pm – 4.45pm
Build a biodome: Explore Nga Manu Nature Reserve with Amanda Dobson from Enviroschools and collect leaf litter to create a mini closed ecological system (bio-dome). Tuesday 6th September 3.30pm – 4.45pm . Book on our website ‘Shop’.
Fun for the whole family at our Conservation weekend event
Eel Feeding at 11am and 2pm Saturday and Sunday: It wouldn’t be a Ngā Manu event without eel feeding. Feeding poles a
re just $2 each. Eel talk FREE with admission.
Face Painting from 11.30 – 1.30pm Saturday and Sunday (paper koha)
Sausage sizzle fundraiser and coffee cart both days
Guided Bush Walks join our passionate volunteers for a one hour guided bush walk both weekend days at 2.15pm, free with admission.
Meet our cheeky birds and rare reptiles with Ranger talks
Our Rangers will introduce our native wildlife with a series of short talks (FREE with admission):
Saturday 10th at 11.30am Our beloved bush birds, the kaka, kakariki and keruru
Saturday 10th at 1.30pm We’ll introduce the nationally endangered whio (blue duck).
Sunday 11th at 11.30am It’s the reptiles turn. Ranger Mel will talk about geckos and skinks
Sunday 11th at 1.30pm New Zealand’s largest reptile, the tuatara is Mel’s next subject
Demonstrations on composting and predator trapping
Saturday 10th at 12.30pm: Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about composting, worm farming and bokashi will be answered during an organic waste demonstration by Eilish Andrews, waste minimisation adviser at the Kapiti Coast District Council.
Sunday 11th at 12.30pm:, Ngā Manu volunteer and head of pest control, Brian Karl, will give an overview of Aotearoa’s problem pests and Ngā Manu’s trapping programme, explain the benefits of wider community trapping and demonstrate traps and what to use for lures.
Refresh your wardrobe at our pre-loved clothing fundraiser Sat 10th and Sun 11th Sept
The pre-loved clothing and more sale will be on at Robin’s Nest all weekend. We have a huge variety of men’s, women’s and children’s good quality clothing, all kindly donated by the local community. There is a selection of very special retro, vintage and designer items, shoes, handbags, scarves, jewellery and books on nature for sale.
So mark September 10-11th in your diary and take action for nature this Conservation Week at Ngā Manu Nature Reserve.
All Ranger and Expert talks and demonstrations are FREE with admission.
All proceeds from the weekend goes directly to our wildlife and conservation efforts.
