Introducing Earthlore's insect conservation efforts in the Catlins

Abstract

Earthlore is an eco-tourism business based in Owaka - The Catlins - designed to educate, inspire and get people actively involved in the conservation of New Zealand's native insects. We have an area of approximately five acres which we are revegetating in species specific habitats for a number of New Zealand's insect species and a further five acres on which we have built BUG CITY - where children become private investigators, working with Inspector Insector to solve insect mysteries. We also have a Bug Frisbee course - like mini golf but played with Frisbees and with an insect theme. There are a number of insect sculptures around the course, and signage containing insect facts designed to interest children. We are not entomologists ourselves, but insect enthusiasts whose main aim is to make the insect world interesting and fun and so we are focused on a more "creative" approach, offering children (and adults for that matter) fun ways to interact with the insect world.