The Horizons of the Society Widen

Forest and Bird, Issue 173, 1 August 1969, Page 2

The Horizons of the Society Widen

RESPONDING to requests from members in many parts of New Zealand, the annual general meeting of the Society at Wellington this year decided to widen the objects of the Society to include all native flora and fauna and natural features of the country.

The Society was formed in 1923 as the Native Bird Protection Society. In 1934 it became the Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand, 11 years’ experience having demonstrated that preservation of native birds is not possible unless their natural habitat is also preserved, as a first step. Moreover, of course, at that time, members, whose love for the forests was not less than their love for the birds, were becoming increasingly alarmed at the rapid destruction of the remaining indigenous forests by sawmillers, by noxious introduced animals such as deer, goats, and opossums, and by clearing and burning to provide new farming lands.

Much has been accomplished since then, but it was almost inevitable that experience gained in nearly 40 years would dictate that the Society should again widen its objects to include all native flora and fauna and also the natural features of New Zealand which make the country so attractive. Natural features include scenic gems —the mountains, hills, rivers, lakes, streams, and coastal fringes—often rugged, always lovely, and each with its particular plant and animal associations. All have a story to tell, absorbingly interesting to those with receptive eyes, ears, and understanding, and all are worthy of reasonable protection.

There is, however, deeper significance in widening our horizons. We have always recognised in a general way that in any area each part of nature is linked by unseen bonds to every other part in that area and that to preserve one part the whole must be cared for. It seems incredible that the towering monarchs of the forest should be linked inseparably with micro-life so small that many millions of animals exist in a cubic inch of soil, but so it is. The passing years have revealed our limitations; for long enough we have sensed that we should look wider, that we should formally include in our work the protection and preservation of the mountain meadows, the scrub lands, the seashore, and the like.

Forest and bird protection will, of course, remain our principal task, but the inclusion of all flora and fauna, as well as natural features, will increase the work to be done. It will call for more members and greater efforts and for the support of scientists and laymen interested in the preservation of natural New Zealand. We have little doubt this support will be forthcoming, but we call on all members to do whatever they can to help.