Outdoor enthusiasts around the world will celebrate International Day for Biodiversity on May 22. This year’s theme is ‘Harmony with nature and sustainable development’. 

Aotearoa’s rich biodiversity of more than 80,000 endemic species has been threatened by the introduction of invasive species such as gorse and possums.

Here are three ways you can celebrate the day and protect our biodiversity:

1. Find your local Predator Free 2050 group and go out trapping. Go to Predatorfreenz.org for a list of initiatives in your community. 

2. Plant natives in your garden to provide food, shelter and nesting sites for birds, bugs and lizards. Finely branched shrubs such as kānuka, mānuka, māpou and kōhūhū offer nesting sites and materials for birds like tūī and riroriro.

3. Join a local native tree-planting day.