Managing natural heritage
Improving the way natural heritage is managed in New Zealand
To help manage natural heritage DOC is building a set of national tools and standards, collectively called the Natural Heritage Management System (NHMS). It is part of DOC's ongoing programme to improve the way New Zealand's natural heritage is managed on land and water.
The NHMS tools are designed to help us set clearer goals, select conservation priorities, and monitor and report on the effectiveness of its work. They will also allow DOC, with help from other biodiversity managers, to consistently monitor and report on the condition of, and trends in, New Zealand's biodiversity.
Collaboration
Fantail on a branch
NHMS involves developing best practices, tools and criteria. Because much of New Zealand's most threatened native species and places are on private land, most of the tools and data are being shared with others as they come on stream.
Community and iwi conversations about conservation priorities
DOC is bringing NHMS information to the table as it talks with communities and iwi about how to manage New Zealand's native species and natural places. These conversations will help identify what is valued at local places, how these fit the bigger picture, and what communities want to achieve for natural heritage in their region. All of this will be captured in the conservation management strategies (CMS) being developed by most conservancies over 2011 and 2012.