from here

Canterbury & South Island:

Christchurch City Council the first council in NZ to receive money from sale of carbon credits. (4 June, CCC).

Community invited to contribute to Libraries' anniversary Maori art project. (3 June, CCC).

Libraries' plentiful offerings for Matariki. (29 May, CCC).

Help enhance your local sand dunes. (29 May, CCC).

Selwyn-Rakaia: Farmers fear irrigation water will be taken from them after a review of groundwater consents in Canterbury "red zone". ECan also proposes annual volume limits and minimum flow restrictions under suggested changes to 531 consents. (3 June, The Press).

Contact Energy freezes Christchurch & Wellington prices. (4 June, Stuff/The Press).

Sign of the Kiwi: The last cuppa? (3 June, The Press/Stuff).

Canterbury Aoraki Conservation Board calls for nominations for 2009 Conservation Awards. (29 May, DOC).

Picton: Man fined $1000 for catching weka in a possum trap. (29 May, DOC).

Richmond, Nelson: Man fined $1500 for illegal whitebaiting. (28 May, DOC).

Nelson: Public asked to nominate heritage places, buildings for protection. (3 June, Nelson Mail/Stuff).

McKenzie Basin: Drylands reserve proposed to offset effects of irrigation. (3 June, Stuff/Timaru Herald).

Queenstown: Discounted Tourism Energy Efficiency Programme audits ignored by most businesses. Average savings $30,000. (1 June, Otago Daily Times).

Wakatipu Basin: Plan to subdivide 100ha. Adverse affect on landscape charged. (1 June, Otago Daily TImes).

South Otago: Mt Stuart windfarm plans re-activated after NZ Windfarms sells to Pioneer Generation. (4 June, Otago
Daily Times).

Nevis Valley: Dam consents would over-ride covenant. (4 June, Southland Times/Stuff).
Also:
Conservation Minister could back Nevis dam. (4 June, Otago Daily Times).

North Island & national:

Fonterra study may help measure emissions. (1 June, NZ Herald).

Greenhouse gas centre to be set up. (2 June, NZ Herald).
Also:
Public to be consulted on GHG targets. (3 June, The Press/Stuff).

Climate & NZ Climate Change Centre: One thing's certain - life as we know it is going to change. Gary Taylor, Environmental Defence Society. (1 June, NZ Herald).

Budget: More funds to buy, fix state houses. (3 June, NZ Herald).

Minister defends cut to Conservation funding. $54 million. (2 June, Otago Daily Times).

Push for new coast environmental watchdog. Could oversee "no-build" areas near beaches and rules covering seabed mining and trawling. (3 June, NZ Herald).

Budget cut may end charitable trust. Employs 14 people, referred through Work and Income or the justice system, to grow native plants for sale to local councils and the Conservation Department. (3 June, NZ Herald).

Economists: Pick-up in housing market unlikely to last. (4 June, NZ Herald).

Auckland: Walking and cycling advocates try again for Harbour Bridge access. (1 June, NZ Herald).

Auckland: More money to complete key rail stations. (2 June, NZ Herald).

Waikato: Wind farm opponents checking legal options. (2 June, NZ Herald).

New Plymouth: Architects propose eco show home in the city. (4 June, Taranaki Dialy News/Stuff).

Palmerston North: City Council now has 9 other NZ Councils supporting the push for national windfarm rules. (3 June, Manawatu Standard/Stuff),

Kaimanawa: Muster set to begin. Homes found for most horses. (3 June, Dominion Post/Stuff).

Landcare Research: Early menopause could control stoats, possums. (31 May, Otago Daily Times).

Papakura: youngster was sure he heard a kiwi in the night. (4 June, NZ Herald).

DOC's rat-catcher: Jack. Professional male, 8, seeks laid-back female. Must want children. (3 June, NZ Herald).

Job Offer: Sustainable Practices Co-ordinator, University of Canterbury: Do you have a personal commitment to sustainability and an enthusiasm for encouraging others to live and work/study sustainably too? As Sustainable Practices Coordinator you will develop, implement, and coordinate sustainable best-practice initiatives for a wide range of University activities.
You will possess a relevant tertiary qualification preferably to post-graduate level and at least 3-4 years’ experience in an area relevant to facilitating behavioural change, managing environmental projects or sustainability.
To view the full description, and to apply, please visit: http://vacancies.canterbury.ac.nz (reference number G149-09D).
 Applications close 14 June 2009.

Re-linked awards, submissions, consultations etc:

• ECan's Environment Enhancement Fund open: 1 June - 31 August. Anyone can apply for up to $5000 for projects that benefit the health of ecosystems in the region. More information/applications: www.ecan.govt.nz/eef.
  
  
• Christchurch air rules awareness campaign: ECan is stepping up publicity around the forthcoming ban on the winter use of open fires and older woodburners in Christchurch, effective from 2010. Home heating rules for Christchurch: Click on the heating situation on the map provided to find out the rules that apply in your area. (ECan).
  
  
• LEARNZ field trips:
  Ancient NZ - A trip to the Chatham Islands with Canterbury University Scientists to look at native birds including the Black Robin. Spread over the month of May.
  Wetfeet - A trip to Lake Ohia in Northland to learn about wetland ecosystems and the cultural significance of the wetlands to Maori. 20 -22 May.
  Trout - Freshwater Ecology - A trip to the Turangi Trout Centre to investigate management of fisheries and freshwater conservation. 10 - 12 June
  Geo Hazards - A trip to walk over the Auckland volcanoes, stay on Rangitoto Island and learn about impacts of volcanic events of the past, present and future. 24-26 June.
  More info: www.learnz.org.nz. or contact: charmaine@learnz.org.nz.
  
  
• Heat pump water heaters: New funding pilot programme for efficient water heating - same grant as for solar. (EECA).
  
  

& from there

• Climate change: report from the Global Humanitarian Forum, set up by Kofi Annan: 325 million already seriously affected. (29 May, The Telegraph).
  Also:
  This silent suffering. Few doubt the science, but its impact on the world's poor is largely ignored. GHF board member, Rajendra Pachauri. (29 May, The Guardian).
  
  
• US: Climate chief's pledge: Bllions of dollars a year to help developing countries acquire clean energy and adapt to climate change. Critics accept US has shifted hugely - but say it needs to do much more. (2 June, BBC).
  
  
• Australia: Ten reasons why population control can't stop climate change. (31 May, Green Left Online).
  
  
• Germany: German MP sounds death knell for Carbon energy. "The conventional energy industry is the biggest corrupter in the world." (3 June, ecoWorldly).
  
  
• UN: Green energy investment overtakes fossil fuel investment. A tipping point? Biggest growth from China, India and other developing countries - fast catching up on the West in switching out of fossil fuels to improve energy security and tackle climate change. (3 June, The Guardian).
  
  
• World Watch Institute: Agriculture holds key to solving global warming. (3 June, Environmental News Network).
  
  
• The world water crisis: High cost, low priority. (22 May, Miller-McCune.com).
  
  
• Australia: Feels chills as China's shadow grows. - Australian future as a giant open-pit mine in which the locals toil, but Beijing takes the profits? (5 June, New York Times). (The first of a series on China's emergence as a global power).
  
  
• UK: Beyond Westminster's bankrupted practices, a new idealism is emerging. The Transition movement is engaging people in a way that conventional politics is failing to do - it generates enthusiasm, idealism and passionate commitment. (31 May, The Guardian).
  
  
• US: Chart of the day: The stunning jobs collapse. Blows away recessions of the past 40 years. (28 May, Business Insider.com).
  
  
• Fishing: The bid to corner the world's blue-fin tuna market. Mitsubishi is freezing blue-fin to sell later as stock numbers plunge towards extinction. (3 June, The Independent).
  
  
• China: Planning to introduce gas per mileage rules stricter than US ones. (27 May, New York Times).
  
  
• China: Supertower billed as a green beacon amid the pollution of China's construction boom (estimated to result in erection of up to 50,000 new skyscrapers by 2025). (27 May, The Guardian).
  
  
• US: Setting the pace: a race among more than 60 teams across North America to try to build the first "Living Building" - which must generate its own energy with renewable resources; use only water falling on site; be free of "red list" toxic materials; be designed with an eye to beauty, suited to regional characteristics, and not on virgin land; maximize people's access to fresh air and daylight. (31 May, Seattle Times).
  
  
• UK: Experimental homes made out of hemp to be built under new Govt plans. (1 June, The Telegraph).
  
  
• Lunen, Germany: Biogas network fuelled by cow and horse manure could provide 30 - 40% of town's (90,000 residents) power needs. (28 May, U.TV News).
  
  
• UK: Rapeseed revolution. The oil is yellow, mellow and surprisingly healthy. The Brits' 'olive oil'. (1 June, The Telegraph).
  
  
• UK: Allotment waiting lists reach up to 40 years. (2 June, The Telegraph).
  
  
• UK: The wholefood revolutionary. Healthy eating is so mainstream now that no one gives it a second thought, but in the 60s when the movement took off in the UK it was the height of counter-culture. (3 June, The Guardian).
  
  
• France: Mobile phones to be banned from French primary schools. Text messaging only. (28 May, The Australian).
  
  
  Technology:
• US: World's largest laser to attempt nuclear fusion. (1 June, Inhabitat).
  
  
• Concentrated solar power could make up 25% of world's energy. (28 May, ecoGeek).
  
  
• US: In industrial settings wind turbines can look stunning. Slideshow. (1 June, Treehugger).
  
  
• US: Small wind turbines beginning to make a big difference. (1 June, Environmental News Network).
  
  
• Kinetic energy based charger: charge your gadgets while you walk or ride. (3 June, ecoGeek).
  
  More naturally:
  
• When evolution is not so slow and gradual. One of only a few studies to look at adaptation and survival in a wild population: guppy populations introduced into new habitats developed new and advantageous traits in just a few years. (3 June, ScienceDaily).
  
  
• Plants 'can recognise themselves'. (1 June, Earth News, BBC).
  
  
• Galapagos: Mosquitoes' new diet threatens giant tortoise. (1 June, ecoWorldly).
  
  
• Northern Territory, Australia: After 111 years, legless lizard found. (2 June, The Australian).
  
  
• A new kind of cloud? The Cloud Appreciation (!) Society says we need to recognise asperatus alongside cirrus, cumulus and the rest. 6 images. (1 June, BBC).
  Also:
  New label not needed in NZ. (3 June, TVNZ).
  
  
• Kiwi polly wants a passport. (29 May, TheStar.co.za).
  

Using ecoNet

Is easy. Just send in to the editor information about an event, activity or submission you want to share and it will go in ecoNet....as long as it's appropriate of course.

ecoNet is put out (Fridays) by Christchurch Branch of NZAEE (NZ Association for Environmental Education), a non-profit, national organisation of people working to promote and support environmental education, lifelong learning and sustainable behaviour throughout New Zealand/Aotearoa.

How do I contribute?

Use the links below to:

• forward ecoNet address to others you think may like to receive it - it's free
  
• become a subscriber
  
• send us information for the weekly diary.
• contact us

• Event: Freeze! United action on climate change.
  When: Friday, June 5 @ 1pm.

  Info/explanation & how to take part: here (freezenz.wordpress.com).
  
  

• Sign On: help avoid catastrophic climate change.

  Sign on here. (www.signon.org.nz). Greenpeace climate change campaign.
  
  

• World Environment Day web launch:

  new-look website for Education for Sustainability: http://efs.tki.org
  Find new ideas , transformations of old ideas and new ways and opportunities to implement the future focus theme of sustainability in the New Zealand Curriculum. Sign up to be part of forums and share experiences in EFS.
  When: Opens Friday, 5 June.
  Ministry of Education & Education for Sunstainability.
  
  

• Event: Eco Expo: New ideas, products, services for where you live, work, & play.

  - learn about realistic and achievable changes you can make to your everyday life.
  Exhibits, environmental documentary screenings, speakers, workshops.
  When: 10.00 am - 6.00 pm, Friday 5 - Sunday 7 June.
  Where: Convention Centre, Kilmore St.
  Contact: Glen 021 756337.
  More info & doco schedules etc: here. (www.ecoexpo.co.nz).
  
  

• Event: Celebrate World Environment Day -

  help plant native trees & shrubs on the banks of the Hororata River.
  When: 1.30 - 4.00 pm Friday, 5 June.
  Where: Meet at Mitchells Rd, Hororata.
  Contact: Hanna.Leckie@ghd.co.nz or 027 215 6174 or (03) 378 2118.
  Supported by DOC, GHD, Selwyn District Council, Waihora Ellesmere Trust.
  
  

• Tree planting: Forest & Bird's Arbor Day planting.

  When: 9.00 - 12.00 pm Saturday, 6 June.(Wet or fine).
  Where: Orton Bradley Park, Charteris Bay.
  Meet: at the Old School house, Orton Bradley Park.
  Bring: all weather clothing, gumboots & spade.
  All welcome.
  Contact: the Park 329 4730.
  
  

• CCC restoration planting days:

  Marleys Hill: 1.00 - 3.00 pm Sat, 6 June.
  Pipeline sand-dune outfall, South Brighton: 10.00 - 12.00 pm Sat, 6 June.
  Charlesworth Wetland Reserve: 3.00- 5.00 pm Sunday, 7 June.
  Details here: www.ccc.govt.nz.
  
  

• Event: Southern Seed Exchange Autumn Seed Swap

  When: 12.00 - 4.00 pm Saturday, 6 June.
  Where: Seven Oaks School, Opawa. (corner of York St. & Hassals Lane, entrance on Hassals Lane).
  Bring: Seeds, tubers, cuttings, root divisions, bulbs, etc. to swap, or make a gold coin donation.
  Contact: Martin 03 325 1310, or Marian: southernseed@paradise.net.nz.
  Website: www.southernseed.org.nz
  
  

• Work day: Quail Island restoration.

  When: Sunday, 7 June. (Ferry leaves Lyttelton 9.20 am returns 3.30 pm). 
  Booking essential.
  Contact: Ian 384 5338 or id.mclennan@xtra.co.nz
  Website: www.quailisland.org.nz
  
  

• Christchurch Transition Initiative forum:
  

  When: 12.00 pm Tuesday, 9 June.
  Where: St Albans Community Centre.
  
  

• Talk: Alternative Energy.

  Speaker: David King.
  When: 7.30 pm Tuesday, 9 June.
  Where: supper room, Lincoln Community Centre, Gerald St., Lincoln.
  All welcome. (part of Lincoln EnviroTown's monthly meeting).
  Info/contact: Sue 329 4730.
  www.lincolnenvirotown.org.nz
  
  

• Talk: Issues of the Day: The global economic crisis and Free Trade Agreements:

  Speaker: Murray Horton, CAFCA. (Campaign Against Foreign Control of Aotearoa).
  When: 1.30 - 2.30 pm Wednesday, 10 June.
  Where: WEA, 59 Gloucester St.
  Contact: 366 0285, cwea.org.nz
  Cost: $4.00.
  (WEA Issues of the day series).
  
  

• Forest & Bird: AGM and Lance McCaskill Memorial Lecture.

  Guest speaker: Di Lucas, landscape architect, on "Little Landscapes On the Move" - diversity and dynamism in NZ.
  When: 7.00 pm Wednesday, 10 June.
  Where: WEA, 59 Gloucester St.
  All welcome.
  
  

• Choices: Helping NZers to make positive choices for both personal and global wellbeing.

  Next fortnightly networker support session: 7.00 pm Wednesday, 10 June.
  Where:  5th floor Community House, 141
  Hereford Street.
  More info/contact: Andy 3327308, or see
  www.choices.net.nz.
  (Choices is an initiative of the Sustainability Trust, with funding from the Ministry for the Environment and the Hikurangi Foundation).
  
  

• Meeting (open to public): Canterbury Aoraki Conservation Board.

  When: Thursday, 11 June.
  Where: Aoraki Room, 4th floor, Canterbury Conservancy office, DOC, 195 Hereford St.
  Contact/more info: here.
  
  

• Meeting: Stop climate change.

  Get involved with a 350.org climate action group for the massive worldwide protest on October 24 - demanding action for climate change.
  When: 7.30 - 9.00 pm Thursday, 11 June.(initial organising meeting).
  Where:  WEA, 59 Gloucester St.
  More info: www.350.org and www.350.org.nz.
  
  

• Climate change: A warm Antarctic - does it matter?

  Speaker: Bill Davison, Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury.
  When: 7.00 pm Thursday, 11 June.
  Where: Venue on enrolment, University of Canterbury.
  Cost: $15.00.
  More info here. (7th talk in a series).
  
  

• Conference: Embracing the future - Kia whakapumau te wa kai te heke.

  Adult Community Education Inc., Aotearoa (ACE).
  When: 12 - 14 June.
  Where: Te Puna Wanaka, Christchurch Polytech (CPIT).
  More info: here. (www.aotearoa.org.nz).
  
  

• Guided Port Hills botanical tour: Meurky walk on Scott’s Valley Track.

  Guide: Colin Meurk, botanist, Landcare Research/Manaaki Whenua.
  When: 9.00 am – 2-ish Saturday, 13 June.
  Where: Meet at lower gondola carpark.
  Bring: Sturdy footwear, all-weather clothing, lunch.
  Contact: Anna-Marie, reesey@xtra.co.nz.
  
  

• More CCC planting days:

  1.Dry Bush: 1.00 - 3.00 pm Sat, 13 June.
  Meet at Huntsbury Track/Summit Road.
  2. Amberly Beach: 10.30 - 12.30 pm Sat, 13 June.
  Meet at carpark end of Amberly Beach Rd. (Planting is to the north of the carpark).
  3. Beacon Street: 10.00 - 2.00 pm Sun, 14 June.
  Meet at Seafield Park at the end of Beacon St.
  (BBQ after the planting).
  
  

• EARTHWISE, Plains FM 96.9

  Each Monday & Wednesday at 9.00 pm.
  Conservation, environment and peace with justice.
  This week: James Petras, on the US military-academic complex - contracting academics to promote US empire building.
  Presenters: Martin and Lois Griffiths.
  NB: Listen again to Earthwise programmes on archive.
  
  

Coming up:

• Canterbury Restoration Field-days, September 2009: Bringing Back Biodiversity - “Get Inspired, Get Involved, Get it Right!”

  Registrations requested & expressions of interest to exhibit/promote your activity or business.
  When: 10.00 - 5.00 pm, 19 September. (Field trips round central Canterbury 20 September).
  Where: DOC nursery, Motukarara.
  More info/registration forms/interested to exhibit: www.canterburybiodiversity.org.nz/
  Contact: wayne.mccallum@ecan.govt.nz
  Latest Canterbury Biodiversity Newsletter: here.
  
  

• Auckland event: Annual conference: Eco (Environment and Conservation Organisations of Aotearoa/NZ).

  Greening our way out of a recession.
  When: 10 - 12 July.
  Where: Karanga camp, 79 Te Henga Rd, Waitakere City (near Bethells Beach).
  More info/contact/registration: www.eco.org.nz/conference
  

Reminders:

• Free home composting workshops:

  Hot composting of kitchen scraps & garden waste, Bokashi and worm farms. All methods demonstrated.
  At two sites:
  1. Opawa Community Gardens, 176 Opawa Rd (at Aynsley Tce). 1.00 - 2.30 pm each Saturday.
  2. Okeover Community Garden - University of Canterbury, Engineering Road. (Map here). 12.00 - 1.30 pm each Wednesday.
  3. Lyttelton Community Garden, 54A Oxford Street, 10.30 – 12.00 pm each Saturday.
  More info/contact: Annmarie 021 190 4559 or 942 7190 (evenings).
  Supported by CCC.
  
  

• Theatre: NZ Premiere: My Name is Rachel Corrie.

  One-woman play based on e-mails and letters of a young American peace activist killed in the Gaza strip in 2003. Critically acclaimed abroad and cause of vigorous debate about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
  Director: Lara Macgregor.
  When: Season runs 29 May - 27 June.
  Where: The Forge, Court Theatre.
  More background info & bookings etc: Here (www.courttheatre.org.nz) or 0800 333 100.
  (Discounts for groups of ten or more).