Conservation Comment: Summer outside just the ticket

Bushy Park: A top destination, worth investigating this summer.

The 2018 Whanganui Summer Programme is now printed and available.

Many people will be familiar with the programme and eagerly look forward to the series of walks, historic visits and bus trips to all sorts of interesting places.

The programme has been run in Whanganui since 1988 when the Department of Conservation set up a Conservancy in the city. More recently, with DoC downsizing its contribution, it has been organised by a group of dedicated volunteers. Activities have altered over the years with a definite bias now toward less physically demanding walks. This is reflected in our main supporters being of or close to retirement age.

However, we do try and provide some suitable outings for everyone's ability.

Coastal walks, a visit to Bushy Park at night time, visits to Kapiti Island, Mana Island and Matiu/Somes are also just some of the places that would be suitable for all age groups providing they have some fitness. There are also trips for those who do not wish to have any or very little walking involvement.

A Tranzit coach is used on most trips. This allows us to stay together and use experts with local knowledge to make the journeys more interesting. You will also be surprised how much more of the countryside you can see sitting high up in a bus.

The Whanganui Summer Programme Trust is a non-profit organisation so prices are very reasonable. Charges are made for the bus transport, boat fees to islands, and other outside costs.

The programme was distributed in the Wanganui Chronicle last Thursday and copies are now available at several retail outlets and at the Whanganui i-Site, which is where all trip bookings can be made and where most of the trips depart from.

The Wanganui Chronicle runs daily updates throughout January of upcoming events for last-minute decisions; however, it pays to book early for your favourite trips, as some of them are extremely popular and book out within a few days. A waiting list is also used for some trips as emergencies can occur and people have to cancel.

In today's world there is a tendency for many people, and particularly younger ones, to sit all day at a computer or cell phone regardless of the weather. I think it is unfortunate that outdoor events are not their cup of tea, even in the height of summer. Several trips are very suitable for families and younger people. They also make excellent Christmas gifts for friends or family.

Summer programme trips run throughout January, so make the effort to get hold of a programme and I can guarantee you will find something of interest that you will want to visit and partake in.

■ Ridgway Lythgoe is a retired DoC officer, keen environmentalist, tramper and traveller.