Trust, Doc in league to restore environment
A newly-formed conservation group hopes to start pest control operations in a ''biodiversity hotspot'' in Fiordland this spring.
Department of Conservation
Doc plans 1080 drop to protect bird species
Doc plans 1080 drop to protect bird species
The Department of Conservation (Doc) will carry out an aerial 1080 predator control operation across more than 20,000ha in the Dart, Routeburn and Caples Valleys this spring, as part of a South-Island wide operation that will cover about 70,000ha.
'Mega-mast' leads to massive drop of 1080
'Mega-mast' leads to massive drop of 1080
The Department of Conservation will increase its 1080 coverage sevenfold this spring to fight an oncoming plague of rats, mice and stoats.
Freedom and responsibility
Freedom and responsibility
The Department of Conservation and the Dunedin City Council have started discussing possible camping sites on Otago Peninsula. Star reporter Dan Hutchinson takes a look at the issue of budget camping on the peninsula and finds a distinct lack of enthusiasm for new facilities.
Whale tissue samples unlikely to determine cause of strandings
Whale tissue samples unlikely to determine cause of strandings
While results from tissue samples from stranded whales on Otago's coast this summer are still to come in, it is unlikely they will shed any further light on the cause of the whales' deaths, the Department of Conservation says.
Doc looking into land partnership
Doc looking into land partnership
The Department of Conservation is investigating whether Contact Energy land along the Clutha River could be owned in a partnership.
Contact not willing to give Upper Clutha land to Doc
Contact not willing to give Upper Clutha land to Doc
Contact Energy has ruled out giving more than 100ha of land along the Clutha River to the Department of Conservation.
Reserve plan 'concerning'
Reserve plan 'concerning'
The Department of Conservation's move to set up a group to find Otago's first marine reserves within two years is ''extremely concerning'', Otago Rock Lobster Industry Association executive officer Simon Gilmour says.
Call for collective conservation effort
Call for collective conservation effort
A national organisation representing the many community conservation trusts around the country is needed, Conservation Minister Nick Smith says.
Imminent spawning adds urgency to Doc goldfish catch
Imminent spawning adds urgency to Doc goldfish catch
Department of Conservation staff went gold-fishing in Albert Town yesterday, hauling more than 100 of the fish from the Wanaka suburb's Riverside Park pond.
Illegal whitebaiting practices concern
Illegal whitebaiting practices concern
Otago whitebaiters are flouting regulations and threatening the fishery's sustainability, the Department of Conservation says.
Doc ranger says new projects likely
Doc ranger says new projects likely
More North Otago-based conservation projects could be given the go-ahead, following a recent Department of Conservation restructuring that created a new Oamaru-based position.
Where to for conservation?
Where to for conservation?
It is hoped concerns such as competition between community groups and the Department of Conservation for funding will be addressed at a national conference in Dunedin later this year.
Whitebait catch survey on river
Whitebait catch survey on river
A survey of whitebait catches along the Clutha River is being carried out by the Department of Conservation (Doc).
Dilemma over pest-control timing
Dilemma over pest-control timing
Healthy mohua (yellowhead) numbers and a partial beech tree mast have left the Department of Conservation in a quandary on the need for pest control on its land in the Catlins.
Helping hands for ecosystem
Helping hands for ecosystem
A Department of Conservation (Doc) project to protect a rare ecosystem near Queenstown will receive a helping hand from the Queenstown Climbing Club.
Doc confirms job losses
Doc confirms job losses
The Department of Conservation has confirmed it will have 72 fewer full-time roles across the country as a result of restructuring.
DOC rangers call for more love
DOC rangers call for more love
Department of Conservation rangers say more ''galaxiid love'' is needed to help halt the decline of New Zealand's freshwater fish.
Ability for easements mocks conservation
Ability for easements mocks conservation
Tramper and conservationist David Barnes looks at why some Department of Conservation staff seem to think "should not" in a management plan can mean "Oh, all right then".
Doc pleads guilty over death of volunteer
Doc pleads guilty over death of volunteer
The Department of Conservation has pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to ensure the safety of a volunteer who died working on Raoul Island.