Conservation advocates say 'Don't knock DOC'

April 8th, 2013

Conservation group Forest & Bird is asking all New Zealanders to show their support for the Department of Conservation this coming Thursday, 11th April, on "Love DOC Day".

The National government has recently announced the further reduction of DOC staff around the country in a programme that govenment says is about building a more efficient structure but critics say is just trying to save money at the expense of the environment.

Forest & Bird say that in four years DOC has been asked to cut $54 million from their budget, and staff numbers have been reduced by around 250 personnel.

Now a "change in focus is seeing around 200 of the remaining staff positions being refocused into gaining business sponsorship and community volunteers".

"That focus is confusing for Forest & Bird because we already see that there is a huge amount of support that we receive from our DOC local staff - along with expertise and technical advice," says a Forext & Bird spokesman.

"The axing of Area Managers and Programme Managers - the critical people for many of us in the organisation - is a huge loss. This Thursday we want to say - we support you DOC. On that day we are asking each of our branches to do something tangible to show that support."

In Motueka, that means gathering outside the Motueka Musuem between 12 and 2pm with Post It notes and marker pens. People can write a message of support for DOC, starting with 'We Love DOC because ...' or 'We support DOC because ...'

Green ribbons will be handed out to people to wear on their arm or pin on their shirt, to show their support visibly to others. People can also show their support in other ways by baking a cake for the DOC staff, making a banner, giving flowers, cards - or singing a song!

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