Appreciation for the great outdoors

Get active and appreciate the great outdoors during Conservation Week.

The theme of this year's Conservation Week, which began yesterday, is ''Love your Parks''.

In the Western Bay of Plenty, there are many parks and reserves to explore, including Papamoa Hills.

Events will be held celebrating the 60th anniversary of the National Parks Act and the 125th anniversary of Te Heuheu Tukino IV gifting the Tongariro, Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe mountain peaks to the people of New Zealand.

Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson said the week was a great time to get outside and enjoy New Zealand's beautiful
natural landscape.

''About 25 per cent of New Zealanders visited a national park last year, but more of us need to get outdoors and see this great country for ourselves,'' she said.

For details of events in the Bay of Plenty visit: http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation-week-home/whats-happening/