Keeping Kiwi kids keen on nature

A Wenderholm weta walk and a Seaweek snorkelling safari at Goat Island are two activities on the local Kiwi Conservation Club calendar next month.

The club is the junior arm of Forest & Bird and has been teaching Kiwi kids about New Zealand’s wildlife and wild places for the last 20 years.

Local coordinators Claire McDonald and Burnette O’Connor say new members are always welcome. Children can join via the club website or contact the coordinators directly.

Last year local events included a trip on the Jane Gifford, an investigation of the night life of insects, a visit to regenerating bush at Tawharanui with ranger Maurice Puckett and snorkelling at Whangateau Harbour. Members also did a beach clean-up, visited Tiritiri Matangi and went on a glow worm walk in Parry Kauri Park.

Events planned for this year include a trip to Rangitoto in April, a visit to the Leigh Marine Laboratory and participation in a bird survey.

Burnette and Claire will attend a club coordinators event at Miranda next month.

“We’ll be learning about migratory birds, as well as meeting other coordinators from around the country and being inspired,” Claire says.

There are more than 16,000 Kiwi Club members nationwide who receive the Wild Things magazine, which covers topics such as wild rivers, marine reserves and worms.

Info: Phone Claire on 422 2404 or Burnette on 422 3688; or visit www.forestandbird.org.nz/support-us/membership