Fish identification, sustainability and tree planting will be on offer in the Bay over the coming week to mark Conservation Week, from September 15-23.
Run by the Department of Conservation each year, Conservation Week encourages people to get involved in nature and help to take care of it.
The local branch of DOC will be honouring local conservationist Carole Long with a lunch at Trinity Wharf on Wednesday, September 19.
Carole received a Queen's Service Medal in the recent Queen's Birthday Honours for her service to conservation, including Forest and Bird and the Otanewainuku Kiwi Trust.
Lunch is $34, payable on the day, and will include a talk by Carole. For more information and to register contact Wendy Rapana, via: wrapana@doc.govt.nz or: 027 208 7196.
On Saturday, September 15, the Te Whakakaha Conservation Trust is having a tree planting day at the site of the Otawa Sanctuary at the top of No. 3 Road in Te Puke.
The trust has a grant from the Lion Foundation to purchase native tree seedlings to restore the site of the previous quarry operations on part of the land, and would welcome everyone to come along and help.
Meet at the gate signposted near the top of No.3 Road at 10am and bring a spade if you can. For more information, contact Barry Galpin on: 07 573 4362.
DOC is also running its sold-out Marine Watch introduction programme at Baywave on Sunday, September 16. Children aged 8-14 will learn the basics of snorkelling followed by a fun fish identification course.
Toi Ohomai is hosting a Sustainability Market at its Windermere Campus from 11am-1pm on Thursday, September 20 to showcase products, services and courses that promote sustainable living.
Groups represented will include DOC, Tauranga City Council, Keep Tauranga Beautiful and Predator Fee BOP, and there will be product demonstrations of electric cars and bikes, beekeeping, making beeswax wraps and creating portable gardens.
The market will be held outside A Zone with access via Gate Three.
Freelance wildlife biologist Cam Speedy will also be giving a free lecture on the complexities of wildlife issues unique to New Zealand at the Windermere Campus from 7-8.30pm on Thursday.
Cam brings an extensive skillset to a wide range of wildlife management projects across the country and will be focussing on the Bay of Plenty perspective.