Forest and Bird: a voice for nature
Nicola Toki Chief Executive of Forest & Bird, Centennial Conference July 2023.
For more than 100 years, Forest & Bird has been a powerful voice for nature, working to protect the wildlife and wild spaces that make Aotearoa New Zealand unique.
On 28 March 1923, one passionate conservation volunteer, Captain Ernest ‘Val’ Sanderson, along with a small group of like-minded men and women, launched what was then called the Native Bird Protection Society in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington.
It became the first of Aotearoa New Zealand’s modern-day conservation charities, and Sanderson led the organisation until his death in 1945.
During that time, Sanderson published artworks, books, and magazines to educate and inspire adults and children about nature and frequently wrote to politicians to campaign for measures to protect species and their habitats, as well as for a bird day in schools.
Birthday cake for Forest & Bird at Big Birthday Bash Whanganui, March 2023.
One hundred years later, thanks to the generosity of its members and supporters, and the dedication of hardworking volunteers around the motu, Forest & Bird is upholding Sanderson’s legacy by fighting to protect and restore the wildlife of Aotearoa.
Forest & Bird has acknowledged this significant milestone with a full year of centennial celebrations, aimed at encouraging people to think about how they can help to look after nature.
“It’s been a privilege to share stories about our history and acknowledge what has been accomplished by so many dedicated volunteers and staff over the past century,” says Forest & Bird’s chief executive, Nicola Toki.
“From Forest & Bird’s earliest days until now, generations of conservation volunteers have been protecting and restoring wildlife and wild places across Aotearoa – on the ground, in the courts, and through speaking up for nature at all levels of government.”
To mark the first 100 years, Forest & Bird collaborated with NZ Post to release a set of nature-themed centennial stamps, held an exhibition in honour of Captain Sanderson in his hometown of Paekākāriki, ran a hotly and internationally contested Bird of the Century competition, and much more.
Their branches have encouraged local people to get involved in conservation, organising volunteer activities, including centennial planting days.
The South Canterbury branch of Forest & Bird partnered with the South Canterbury Museum to present an exhibition celebrating a century of conservation mahi (work), showcasing the work of local Forest & Bird volunteers. The exhibition is free to view and runs through to 28 March 2024.
They want Kiwis of all ages to feel inspired to protect te taiao nature. Forest & Bird’s Kiwi Conservation Club (KCC), New Zealand’s first national children’s conservation organisation, engages our tamariki and nurtures their curiosity for our unique wildlife through a series of fun, nature-based events as well as its club magazine, Wild Things.
Aotearoa New Zealand’s wildlife and wild places are unique. As we look ahead to the next 100 years, in the face of climate change and biodiversity loss, it is more important than ever that we work together to protect and restore our shared backyard.
If you want to be a voice for nature, you can join Forest & Bird at forestandbird.org.nz/support-us/join-forest-bird.
Captain Ernest ‘Val’ Sanderson