Wellington retiree Penny Race isn't a gym-goer, but she reckons her arm strength is impressive.
She's one of the longest-serving volunteers for Conservation Volunteers New Zealand (CVNZ) and has spent hours pulling out weeds and planting native trees in the hills around the capital.
"I had 40 years in an office and now I get to work outside. It's so good for me physically and mentally. It's a full body work out," she says.
Penny was the special guest at an event in Wellington last night celebrating 20 years of CVNZ and the announcement of a new partnership with the Department of Conservation.
DOC's Director-General Pete Chrisp says thousands of New Zealanders care deeply about conservation, and the new partnership will make it easier to turn that care into action.
"Looking after nature takes a team effort and we're seeing more people wanting to lean into that. DOC can't do the scope of the work alone; we need everyone's help." Pete says.
CVNZ Chief Executive Stephanie Vercoe says there are many hidden benefits of volunteering in nature.
"Our volunteers tell us that it's helped them get a job, to have something on their CV that sets them apart from others. We have a migrant programme and have had people from 43 different countries connecting with others, learning about the amazing natural world in Aotearoa and becoming part of a new community," she says.
CVNZ stats show volunteering activity has increased over the past few years and the numbers are impressive.
"We're celebrating our 20th anniversary this year and we have put more than two million native plants in the ground. Everyone seems busy with modern life, but we're growing and attracting a younger cohort of people," Stephanie says.
Penny Race agrees, and she says she's not worried about not being able to keep up.
"I'm pretty fit now. I've done projects all over Wellington's hills and coastlines and it's lovely when I think to myself, 'I helped plant that hillside'. That's incredibly satisfying," Penny says.
NATURE LOOKS DIFFERENT FROM HERE
Nature isn't scenery. Nature is a society that we rely on for everything, every day. It's behind our identity and our way of life.
