This week is Conservation Week, and we'll be bringing you stories about some of our dedicated researchers. . Today, find out more about Yvonnne Taura (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Hauā, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Uenuku) Kairangahau Māori, Manaaki Taiao ropū, a kairangahau (researcher) in the Manaaki Taiao rōpū (Māori research team), based in Hamilton. . I have a background is freshwater science and management. I am the Vision Mātauranga lead for the SSIF Wetlands Programme and work on Māori-led research working collaboratively with our Māori research partners to develop resources that highlight the importance of wetland cultural values and approaches to wetland restoration. Resources include Te Reo o Te Repo – The Voice of the Wetland created collaboratively with Waikato-Tainui, Te Reo o Te Repo – Kei konei tonu au: The Voice of the Wetland – I am still here that will be launched at the INTECOL international wetland conference in Christchurch in October, and Tuihonoa Te Reo o Te Repo, an online educational resources created collaboratively with the Science Learning Hub. . When I was young, I loved exploring te taiao (natural world) and learning how to be better attuned to the environment around us. I was further motivated by my awareness of our impact on te taiao. Early in my career, my kaumātua mentored and supported me to pursue science pathways and participate in hapū and iwi environmental issues that were meaningful to our whānau. . My most unexpected discovery during my career was finding a rotifer: Tetrasiphon hydrocora – the first time this organism has been recorded in Aotearoa in samples collected from the Waiotaka Scenic Reserve, in the South Taupō Wetland, Lake Taupō during my MSc research. Zooplankton are small (<5mm) aquatic animals that feed on algae and bacteria in freshwater systems and that in turn provide food for aquatic insects and fish. They are sensitive to changes in water quality and can provide important biological indicators for identifying changes in wetlands. . #conservationweek #conservation #wetlands #lovescience #Māori #education #nature #lovenature #aotearoa #newzealand @docgovtnz

With this year's NZ Garden Bird Survey forms completed & submitted, the number-crunching begins. Initial tallies of the most-counted species have thrown up a new entrant to the top 10 line-up, the rock pigeon at #9. This is the first time since the survey started that it's made such an appearance! . . . #nzbirds #nzgardenbirdsurvey #nzgardenbirds #birds @nzgardenbirds

Congratulations to our NZ Garden Bird Survey prize winners! . The Family Escape to Wellington weekend goes to Diana Gabric of Wakefield - hope you enjoy yourselves. . Winner of the Photo Competition was Paul Sorrell with his image of two silvereye cosying up on a branch of a kowhai tree. Almost 500 photo comp entries were received – your collective passion is noted and appreciated! . . . @nzgardenbirds #nzgardenbirds #lovebirds #NZGBSPhotoCompetition #naturephotography

And that’s a wrap! Submissions are closed, and the Garden Bird Survey data now gets sent off to our scientists who crunch the numbers and then let us know how our garden birds are faring. . Coming very soon - announcement of competition winners🎉 . Hope you enjoyed taking part in this year's survey - see you next time!

Last chance to enter your Garden Bird Survey data - submissions close at midnight!🐦 🦉 🦆 Remember every survey submitted goes into the draw to win a family of 4 escape to Wellington . Submission form » https://gardenbirdsurvey.landcareresearch.co.nz/ . #NZGardenBirdSurvey

Don't forget to enter your Garden Bird Survey results - every survey submitted before midnight tomorrow goes into the draw to win a family of 4 escape to Wellington https://gardenbirdsurvey.landcareresearch.co.nz/ . . @nzgardenbirds

Watched the birds in your garden during the Garden Bird Survey but thought you'd missed the boat for entering your data? There's still time to submit – online form closes on Tuesday! https://gardenbirdsurvey.landcareresearch.co.nz #NZGardenBirdSurvey

Don't forget to enter your results! Watched the birds in your garden during the NZ Garden Bird Survey but thought you'd missed the boat entering your data? Good news - there's still time! https://gardenbirdsurvey.landcareresearch.co.nz/

Don't forget - please enter your data! If you've been busy out counting the birds in your garden, don't forget to load your observations! Entry form - Link in bio . . #itsnottoolate #enteryourdata #gardenbirdsurvey #citizenscience #nzgardenbirdsurvey

This year's survey has drawn to a close, with an amazing 227,219 birds counted! Well done, and thank you everyone. . We're expecting more data to come in over the next few days, and if you're hoping to enter the#NZGBSPhotoCompetition, there's still time to share your pics! . #NZBirds #nzgardenbirdsurvey #nature

The results are in for day 7 of the 2021 New Zealand Garden Bird Survey - with over 110,000 birds counted! 🦉 🦆 🐦 . How are things looking in your part of the country? Auckland has the highest number of counts, but per capita, Otago is racing ahead! Can you boost numbers in your region? . If you have an hour later today, or tomorrow, why not get out and help build a clearer picture of changes in our environment? . How to take part » https://gardenbirdsurvey.landcareresearch.co.nz/takepart.html

Find an hour this weekend to count the birds in your garden and you could convert it into a weekend nature escape to Wellington! Survey runs until Sunday How to take part » https://gardenbirdsurvey.landcareresearch.co.nz/ Competition details » https://gardenbirdsurvey.landcareresearch.co.nz/competitions.html . . . . #nzgardenbirdsurvey #lovebirds #lovenature #newzealand #onefortheweekend