Large-scale spring cleaning

Press, 13 September 1988, Page 34

Large-scale spring cleaning

The “Keep New Zealand Beautiful Week” is a reminder to New Zealanders that local government, business and industry, as well as schools, local community groups, clubs, societies, the media and “ordinary citizens” can work together to improve the physical quality of life — the cleanliness and beauty of our surroundings — the places in which we live.

So what is this special “week”? What it is is a chance for local councils to work together with groups within the community — and with individuals — to clean up the places in which we live. It is spring cleaning on a grand scale, if you like.

New Zealand has some of the world’s most beautiful countryside. To maintain this beauty, New Zealanders must all

make a conscious effort to KEEP New Zealand beautiful. That effort receives focus during the “Keep New Zealand Beautiful Week.”

This year, it is suggested that special attention is paid the cleaningup of waterways, streams, riverbanks, lakes, ponds, foreshores, estuaries, creeks and inlets, in keeping with the theme for the week, “From the Mountains to the Sea.” The theme ' was adopted in support of Conservation Week —

July 30 to August 6 — which was “Between Land and Sea.”

To ensure efforts to “clean up” do not result in any damage to the ecology, it is suggested that any projects are planned in conjunction with the Department of Conservation, Wildlife, Fisheries and Recreation officers, Harbour Boards,

the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society, school conservation groups and schools’ and universities’ biology departments. The points to watch for are waste materials left behind by thoughtless people and of particular concern are pieces of hazardous litter like broken glass, fishing lines or nets — which can trap birds — and cans.

Things to watch out for are signs of pollution, like sewage seeping into water which is used for recreation or in wildlife areas. Such cases should be reported to the correct and appropriate authorities.

Beautification might be the name of your particular conservation campaign, but the theme, “From the Mountains to the Sea,” is an all-em-bracing one, which offers limitless scope.