As an introduction to the conference NZ Landcare Trust is offering delegates the opportunity to take a field trip on 28 February (the day before the conference). The half day event will set off from the Ibis Hotel in Hamilton at 1.15pm and should be finished by 5pm

The varied itinerary includes opportunities to see valuable ecosystems and community driven restoration work:

• CITY: Lake Rotoroa. Lake Rotoroa (“long lake”) is one of more than 30 peat lakes in the Hamilton Basin. A scenic path rings the lake and passes through restored bush and wetland areas. Popular with walkers, joggers, sailors and canoeists, the lake is also home to native wetland birds and remnant populations of delicate native charophytes (aquatic plants).

• BIRDS GLORIOUS BIRDS: Hamilton Zoo Free Flight Sanctuary. Imagine the avian cacophony in our forests before man and hungry exotic animals arrived! Some of the birds in the free flight sanctuary, NZs largest walk-through aviary, will be reintroduced over time. At the next stop, walk quietly and you may catch sight of kakariki, kaka, pateke, kokako, bellbirds, tui, whio, banded rail, shoveller, scaup, kingfisher and others - www.hamiltonzoo.co.nz
   
• AWARD WINNING: Lake Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park. Volunteers with support from Hamilton City Council are joining forces to revegetate this 60 ha site.  When completed Waiwhakareke will be a rich resource for everyone to enjoy - drawing an estimated 85,000 visitors per annum by 2027 and supporting recreation, education, conservation and science. Site guides: Gerard Kelly and Paul Duffy, Hamilton City Council - www.waiwhakareke.co.nz 
   
• MIGHTY RIVER: The Waikato. At 425km, this is NZs longest river. Starting from eastern slopes of Mt Ruapehu, the river eventually exits into the Tasman Sea at Port Waikato. Eight dams and nine hydroelectric power stations generate electricity for the national grid. The newly formed Waikato River Authority (a Waikato Tainui - Waikato Regional Council partnership), seeks to restore and protect the health and wellbeing of the river for present and future generations. A clean up fund will help rehabilitate the river.
   
• URBAN WILDERNESS: Mangaiti Gully. Roughly 750 ha or 8% of the City is made up of 4 large gully systems which feed into the Waikato River. Despite being poorly treated in the past, gullies are now recognised as important wilderness areas. Many sites are being restored by hardworking landowners and community groups with support from Hamilton City Council and the University of Waikato. Site guides: Rex Bushell and Rod Lugton, Mangaiti Gully Restoration Group - www.gullyrestoration.blogspot.com  
   
• PREHISTORIC HAMILTON: Jubilee bush. Of the extensive tracts of swamp forest which once covered Hamilton, Jubilee bush (5.2ha) is the largest remnant. The main canopy trees include kahikatea, Pukatea, tawa and titoki. To hide unsightly vandalism, paint covering graffiti is colour matched to bark and lichen! Restoration and expansion include a pond and new plantings to buffer the north-western boundary.

You should register for the Field Trip using the online conference registration service. Please note numbers are limited so register soon to be sure of a place.