New Zealand has an extraordinary range of plants and animals, yet a great many species are trending towards extinction. The arrival of humans to the country, and the predators we brought with us, pushed the natural world to the brink. But while we are the villains of the story, we can also be heroes. Great Stories of New Zealand Conservation tells 50 inspiring and thought-provoking stories, covering all matters of conservation and ecological projects from right across the motu. Some of the projects have been driven by national organisations – such as saving the kakapo and the yellow-eyed penguin. Other chapters in the book focus on locally-led initiatives, such as the creation of off-shore island sanctuaries. Because of conflicting demands on our land, conservation stories can be controversial. The author has not shied away from probing topics including the control of Himalayan tahr and the perils of commercial forestry. Learn how New Zealand has innovatively led the way in conservation initiatives – such as the translocation of birds and the development of predator-proof fences.
As well as having been personally involved in a wide range of conservation and ecological restoration projects, Alan Froggatt has previously written two books: Birdwatching for Beginners (2019) and The Story of New Zealand's Unique Birds (2021).