Care, transparency, and consideration of climate change are needed in the reclassification of millions of hectares of public conservation land, says Forest & Bird.
A series of Government consultations on conservation land held in the ‘stewardship’ category is expected to begin in May, starting with areas on the West Coast of the South Island. Forest & Bird has prepared a Stewardship Land Explainer for Journalists which answers common questions and misconceptions about public conservation stewardship land.
“Forest & Bird welcomes this once-in-a-generation chance to properly recognise and protect some of New Zealand’s most treasured landscapes,” says Forest & Bird’s Conservation Land spokesperson Nicky Snoyink.
“Stewardship land makes up one third of all conservation land, so this is an incredibly significant job, made even more crucial by the climate and biodiversity crises: we need healthy native forests, wetlands, and native habitats, especially in a warming world.
"This review is an incredible opportunity for the nation to properly recognise how important these iconic mountains, ancient forests, pure rivers, and complex wetlands are, and to protect them for future generations.
“These lands need our care, and protection. It’s time to take climate action seriously by protecting and restoring our natural environment, so that it can help protect us from climate change.”