Remembering forgotten habitats

Press, 2 August 1983, Page 14

Remembering forgotten habitats

Conservation Week is now an annual occurrence in New Zealand. It is a time when we are reminded of the beauty' of our natural environment, and the importance of preserving it. The theme this year is “Forgotten Habitats Matter.” Many of the natural habitats of birds and animals — such as native forests and mountain areas — are well known and well protected. But there are other areas such as beach-

fronts, wetlands, areas of scrub and roadside ditches which are the home for many plants and animals but are given little attention. New Zealand is full of natural and man-made habitats which could be lost forever if they are not cared for, and this is why we are reminded each Conservation Week of the importance of conserving our environment. You may already have

discussed Conservation Week at school, and talked about what you can do to protect the animals and plants of New Zealand and to preserve the beauty of our country. The “Forgotten Habitats” around us should not be forgotten. Maori Language Week also began on Sunday. To mark both this and Conservation Week, here is the Maori legend of how the world was created: