A wrap of the biggest stories and best writing about the outdoors from New Zealand and around the world.

She suffered “nine months of gruelling treatment” from which it took her two years to recover, but now Janet Petter is cycling the full length of New Zealand.

In doing so, the nurse from Lower Hutt will raise money for breast cancer research, and she hopes to encourage others facing similar challenges.

“The number of women affected by breast cancer in New Zealand is huge. I wanted to do something to show what survivors can do, and give back to an organisation (Breast Cancer Foundation) that has done so much to make treatments and support available to us,” she says.

Since she was first diagnosed 10 years ago she’s undergone extensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but has always remained positive, setting herself goals, such as Great Walks, which have given her a newfound love of tramping. Read more from Stuff. 

Can they bring the Tasmanian tiger back from the dead?

It sounds like an idea dreamed up by the creators of Jurassic Park, but researchers at the University of Melbourne plan to make it reality.

The marsupial has been extinct since 1936 (here’s some footage of the last known survivors), but scientists have been trying to resurrect it for a long time.

In 1999 palaeontologist Michael Archer tried to clone one of the animals from old specimens, but the project was dropped in 2005. Now, thanks to improvements in gene editing, it now seems possible.

The real breakthrough has been CRISPR – a sort of DNA cut-and-paste tool that allows scientists to recreate the genetic code of extinct species. The same technology is being used to try and bring back the woolly mammoth. Read more here. 

Hundreds of dolphins spotted after DOC plea

People have been keeping an eye out for endangered Hector’s and Māui dolphins over the summer, after DOC asked the public to report sightings of the cetaceans.

In all, 350 were reported around the country, and knowing when and where they were spotted has helped the department gain a better understanding of their behaviour, and how to protect them.

They were especially delighted to receive plenty of data from the top of the South Island, where not much is known about the species and their habits. Read more at RNZ. 

New Zealand’s largest private conservation project is…

Maungataniwha Native Forest, which borders Te Urewera and Whirinaki Forest in Hawke’s Bay. At more than 6000ha, it’s bigger than Shania Twain’s South Island high country stations.

It was bought by Tasti executive chairman Simon Hall, who has invested millions to turn it into an almost pest-free kiwi sanctuary.

Around 50 volunteers help with the project and maintain the hundreds of DOC traps located around the block.

Last season 54 kiwi chicks were released into the wild and this season they’re on target to release 100. Read more on Stuff. 

Mosque shooting survivor is walking a path of peace

Temel Atacocugu was shot nine times during the deadly attack in Christchurch three years ago. He’s since undergone extensive surgery, but now plans to walk the same route taken by the attacker on that fateful day.

Temel will make a 360km journey from Dunedin to Christchurch over two weeks, finishing on the third anniversary of the attack.

“Three years ago the terrorist did his journey for hate, but three years later, as a victim, I will do what he did, three years ago the journey, to turn to a peace journey,” he says.

He hopes to inspire people to choose peace over hate and is raising funds for three charities as he does so. Read more from 1news.