People never have to look far to find a conservation project they can start up or take part in.
The main message behind this year's Conservation Week is for families, individuals and communities to look in their own backyards to see how they can help protect and nurture New Zealand's unique wildlife.
The idea of "backyard" naturally extends to parks, reserves, forests, coast, rivers and other open spaces near where people live.During this year's Conservation Week, from October 14-22, the Department of Conservation (DoC) is trying to get people to convert their love of nature into action.
![Famous artists like Northland's Friedensreich Hundertwasser have contributed their art for Conservation Week campaigns](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/WVS5A6IH4LNR2YZBVQPZQQN6CU.jpg?auth=e180a720b406f337c821e5ebe5cc29947580a2eba922cc9c5e58c698ebc2b052&width=16&height=22&quality=70&smart=true)
"We know that the vast majority of New Zealanders rate conservation as important to them personally, yet still only about one in 10 have actively helped on a conservation project," said Sue Reed Thomas, operations director for DoC's northern district.
"We want to show people that conservation can be done in your own back yard, gardens, parks and marine areas. Even small actions make a big difference.