The three to four-hour afternoon guided walk of Forest & Bird South Otago’s Lenz Reserve, in Tautuku in the Catlins, is one of several events the group is hosting during the weekend, as part of its yearly summer programme.
Those with green fingers can also join a native plant nursery day at Hinahina, near Owaka, this afternoon.
Programme convener Jim Young said anyone with an interest in their local environment and conservation was welcome to join either free event.
Mr Young said although the Lenz Reserve was open to the public year-round, tracks were not well formed.
"Visitors can make their own way around, although it’s not like a Doc reserve, where tracks are well formed and obvious. So the guided walk is a great opportunity for people to enjoy an authentic bush experience with a pair of experienced guides, while learning a bit about the history and ecology of the place."
He said the reserve, which includes part of the Fleming River, and adjoins the Tautuku Restoration Project, comprised regrowth forest including some large original trees such as rimu and podocarps.
Visitors — who should bring provisions and dress for changeable outdoor weather — could expect to see and hear native bird life on the 8km walk and learn about conservation issues including pest control and the challenges of pig and deer damage.
Light refreshments would be provided.
Both tomorrow’s walk and today’s nursery day begin at 1pm.
"I’ll also be helping host the nursery day, where we’ll be showing people how to grow native plants for their gardens or other planting projects, and doing a bit of potting and weeding," Mr Young said.
"We use the nursery to supply Forest & Bird and other conservation projects, and grow several thousand [plants] a year, some also for fundraising."
Further events can be found on the group’s social media pages online.
