Biodiversity set to really take off
Hawke’s Bay Airport hosts week of nature
Hawke’s Bay Airport is inviting the region’s naturecurious kids to the terminal as part of its Biodiversity Week celebrations. “Biodiversity — it’s all around us!” is the theme for this year, referencing Hawke’s Bay’s natural environment and the airport’s proximity to many native and introduced species. The terminal’s public areas will display posters about the “locals” — wildlife that calls Hawke’s Bay home and species that have a unique biodiversity value.
A key activity for the kids will be “spot the locals”, to find, identify and learn about the creatures dotted around the airport terminal.
Hawke’s Bay Airport chief executive Rob Stratford says that recognising, preserving and celebrating nature is important for the region.
“The air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat all rely on biodiversity, but right now biodiversity is in crisis. In Hawke’s Bay our environment and biodiversity have taken a hammering from Cyclone Gabrielle and the millions of tonnes of silt that have come down our rivers and settled on our lands, beaches, and seafloor.
“As a region we have lost much of our pre-human indigenous ecosystems. Habitat and biodiversity loss continues in many areas, and we need to do all we can to address and support biodiversity. We can make a difference through the choices we make as consumers.
“Getting people to stop and consider biodiversity and what they can do to help, no matter how small, is more important than ever.”
Hawke’s Bay is home to rare and threatened species such as the ka¯ka¯, kiwi, ko¯kako, long-tailed bat, treewe¯ta¯ and ka¯ka¯ beak; indigenous beech and podocarp forests in the mountains and coastal swamps and estuaries. The region also has several wetlands that have important roles in the environment: purifying water, flood control, carbon sink and stabilising shorelines.
“Our involvement as sponsor helps to accelerate biodiversity outcomes for the region, and we encourage all locals, big and small to think about what they can do to support biodiversity, and to visit the terminal during Biodiversity Week,” Rob says.
Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay general manager Debbie Monahan says the group values its partnership with the airport, including support for the gravel beach restoration project.