Volunteer Day March 2012

ROTOROA ISLAND TO HOLD FIRST VOLUNTEER CONSERVATION DAY SUNDAY 4 MARCH 2012

VOLUNTEER CONSERVATION DAY

Interested in conservation? Come and help us restore Rotoroa's natural heritage on Sunday 4 March when we hold our very first island volunteer day as part of National Sea Week.

We need lots of pairs of hands to help keep Rotoroa's gorgeous coastline and regenerating landscape in pristine condition. Jobs for the day will include drift wood collection, thistle-grubbing, tree chipping, staking karaka trees and hunting for moth weed. Kids are welcome but must be supervised and over 10 years of age.

360 Discovery Cruises are providing special discounted ferry fares from Auckland and Orapiu for volunteers. Numbers are limited to 30, so be quick and book online. select 'Auckland to Rotoroa return', and enter ROTVOL as a promotion code to get your special ferry fare, or call 360 Discovery on 0800 360 3472.

WHAT TO BRING:
Your lunch and plenty of water to drink; sturdy footwear (tramping boots or good grip sand shoes - no open toe shoes); several layers of clothes and wet weather gear; sunscreen and sun hat; togs and a towel; gardening gloves if you have them. If you need any medication, please bring it with you, especially if you are an allergy sufferer as there are no medical supplies on the island and you may be working in the bush.

WHAT WE'LL PROVIDE:
Gloves, if you don't have any; rubbish bags; tea, coffee and water; supervisors with plenty of interesting stories and good humour!

PLAN FOR THE DAY
8:45am    Volunteers depart on the 360 Discovery Cruise
10am       Arrive on Rotoroa, welcome, safety briefing, plan for the day
10:30am  Volunteer work begins (break for lunch at 12:30)
3:00pm    Finish work and explore the island
5:15pm    Return to Auckland on the 360 Discovery ferry

Supervision and guidance on the day will be provided by Rotoroa Island staff and Jo Ritchie, a specialist in restoration ecology. National Seaweek is New Zealand's only national, annual celebration of the sea. It is hosted by the NZ Association for Environmental Education and runs from 3-11 March 2012.