Kaitiakitaka in Open Valley Urban Ecosanctuary

Thank you to everyone who has participated in our survey. Please watch this space for the results and for more information on what is happening next for the Kaitiakitaka in our urban ecosanctuary program.

Open Valley Urban Ecosanctuary (Open VUE) relies on volunteers to provide support by offering their time, skills, and expertise. There are many wonderful ideas coming from the residents to promote and increase biodiversity within the Valley. However, as with most volunteer-based organisations, Open VUE has quite a few challenges associated with getting these ideas to fruition due to low volunteer turnout.

Funded by The Otago Museum Trust Board Curious Minds platform, Open VUE has launched a participatory science project in conjunction with DNI students called Kaitiakitaka in Open Valley Urban Ecosanctuary.  In this social science project, students will work with Open VUE, University advisors, and Social Impact Studio to investigate the motivations and attitudes around community volunteering for local conservation projects within NEV.  The ultimate goal of this project is to sustainably continue community-led conservation efforts in an effort to expand biodiverse spaces for our wonderful native populations.  

Winners of the grocery vouchers will be notified by 29 November.