Become a naturing pro this winter

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Nature needs all of us, and the good news is that making a difference doesn’t always require heaps of time and energy. There are things we can do every single day to make a difference.

So, wrap on your winter woollies, grab a couple mates and reconnect with nature this winter by doing something to care for it.

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📷: Lyn Trewella

Through our Nature Action Finder, you can find heaps of practical ways to help protect and restore nature, whether that’s in your own backyard or alongside a local community group.

Here are four ideas too get you started…

Create a Backyard Sanctuary

Imagine stepping outside each morning to the sound of tūī, kererū and bellbirds.

Creating your own backyard sanctuary doesn’t need to involve a qualification in landscape planning, there are some simple steps you can take to transform your garden into a safe haven for wildlife.

Getting started can be as simple as planting native trees and shrubs that provide food and shelter for birds. Native plants offer a year-round supply of nectar, berries and seeds, helping support species such as tūī, korimako and kererū – check our what’s best to plant in your area.

📷: Stewart Baird | ©

Another easy hack is to do nothing… yes, you read that right. Simply leaving leaf litter in gardens is a great way to create habitat for insects, which in turn feeds insect-eating birds like fantails.

Overgrown bushes or long grass can also be a haven for insects and native lizards like our stunning geckos – so leave the lawn mower and hedge trimmer in the shed.

We can’t be sure what your neighbours might think of your rustic looking backyard – but the wildlife will thank you for it! Just be sure to set a few rat traps up around the backyard as you don’t want those pests lurking around.

📷: Shellie Evans | ©

A more hands-on activity to attract wildlife to your garden could be constructing a little shelter for lizards and insects like wētā. This keeps them safe from predators (and keeps them out of your house in the winter!). We have some simple, easy to make designs on our website.

With gardens making up a large proportion of urban green space, every wildlife-friendly backyard helps restore and protect nature across New Zealand’s towns and cities.

*Note: We don’t recommend using bird feeders as it encourages birds to congregate together putting them at increased risk of spreading diseases including bird flu – instead plant native trees to attract and feed native birds.

Join the clean-up crew!

Few naturing actions deliver results as quickly as picking up litter. We’re big fans of the message from Keep New Zealand Beautiful to take action wherever you encounter rubbish, whether that’s on a beach, walking track, riverbank or local street.

The reason is simple: litter harms ecosystems. It pollutes waterways and soil, damages habitats and can injure or kill native wildlife. By removing rubbish before it reaches oceans and forests, you can make an immediate difference to the health of our environment.

📷: Denise Goodman

There are plenty of ways to get involved. Kiwis can connect with existing groups through Keep New Zealand Beautiful, participate in New Zealand Clean Up Week, or even organise their own community clean-up event. You can also plan your own clean-up activities as a whānau, helping children build a stronger connection with nature will set them up for a lifetime of loving nature.

The beauty of a clean-up is its simplicity, just grab a bag, gather some friends and leave a place better than you found it.

Get Trapping

Every night 68,000 native birds are killed every night by predators like rats, stoats and possums, so controlling these predators is one of the most impactful naturing actions you can do.

For beginners, we recommend starting by identifying which pests are present using simple tracking tunnels that can be made from everyday materials. From there, backyard trapping efforts can help reduce predator numbers and create safer environments for birds, lizards, bats and native insects.

📷: Belle Gwilliam | DOC

The benefits are already being seen in communities around the country. In Wellington, where more than 20,000 households participate in trapping efforts, tūī populations have rebounded dramatically, growing from around 30 breeding pairs in the 1990s to becoming one of the city’s most commonly seen birds.

📷: Whenua Iti Outdoors

Not everyone has space for traps at home, and that’s okay. Conservation supporters can donate traps through initiatives such as Give a Trap donate to local predator-control groups doing the mahi across parks, reserves and rural landscapes.

Find Your Conservation Crew

Naturing doesn’t need to be lonely, in fact it’s better when it’s done together.

Joining a local community group is a fantastic way to make a difference for nature.

Across New Zealand, volunteers are planting native trees, restoring bush, trapping predators, protecting nesting birds, removing weeds and organising local clean-ups. These projects are powered by people from all walks of life, including iwi, farmers, hunters, families and community leaders.

📷: Sustainable Coastlines

The best part is that there is a role for everyone. Some volunteers enjoy getting hands-on with practical conservation work, while others contribute skills in fundraising, communications, event planning or social media. Whether you can commit regularly or only occasionally, there are opportunities to get involved.

Beyond the environmental benefits, joining a conservation group offers a chance to make new friends and learn some practical new skills at the same time.

Every Action Counts

Helping nature doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you’re planting for birds, picking up litter, setting a trap or joining a local conservation group, every action can make a difference.

Check out our Nature Action Picker on the DOC website to find the action that’s right for you!