from here

Canterbury & South Island news:

Council to purchase recycling facility. (3 August, CCC).
Also:
Council pays $19m to save city's recycling system. (4 August, The Press/Stuff).

Financial squeeze leads Kiwis to sharpen DIY skills. (5 August, Stuff/The Press).

Otautahi Urban Foraging group provides a "treasure map", highlighting where food grows naturally around the city. map here. (6 August, Stuff/The Press).

ECan working group to consider cost recovery for water management charging. (5 August, ECan).

Pressure on river triggers change to Waimakariri River Regional plan. (30 July, ECan).

Looking for excitement? Become a civil defence volunteer. (5 August, CCC).

Riccarton Bush: creche for kiwi/roroa. (18 July, DOC).

2009 Ellerslie supreme winner's 2010 exhibit under wraps. (5 August, CCC).

Bikes on buses extends to the Northern Star. (4 August, ECan).

Nelson: New grants focus on sustainable business. (3 August, Nelson Mail/Stuff).

Marlborough: Green issues: council report summarises area's environmental concerns. (31 July, Marlborough Express/Stuff).

Murchison: Matakitaki River hydro scheme feasibility study put on hold. (4 August, Stuff/The Press).

South Island high country policy review to be released. (5 August, Otago Daily Times).

Otago: Marine protection too slow, says Conservation Board. (1 August, Otago Daily Times).

Otago Peninsula: Mystery surrounds penguin deaths. (3 August, Otago Daily Times).

Lake Wanaka: Minaret Station rent rise quashed, court finds in favour of farmers. A victory for all pastoral lessees, say owners. (1 August, Otago Daily Times).

Southland: MP to make case for energy sources - wave & tidal power, gas, silicon smelter... (3 August, Southland Times).

North Island & national:

Emissions can be cut cheaply, say the Greens. (5 August, NZ Herald).

GHG cuts: A global and a local emissions tango. (3 August, The Dominion Post/Stuff).

Many want bolder emissions cuts. (3 August, NZ Herald).

Green's study contradicts government emissions claims. (4 August, National Business Review).

Economist's warning: Oil supplies are running out fast. ( 3 August, NZ Herald).

Six key threats to life as we know it. A group of Pacific researchers has taken the looming extinction of plant and animal species and boiled it down to six key threats. (3 August, NZ Herald).

Fishing findings under scrutiny. Forest & Bird says the science is selective and "unrealistic". (1 August, Stuff/The Press/Dominion Post).

Sea cargo: footprint winner. Trucking timber from Nelson to Christchurch has the same carbon footprint as shipping it all the way to Australia. (3 August, NZ Herald).

Kiwis on holiday in New Zealand produce three times more carbon emissions than international tourists, a report says. (5 August, Dominion Post/Stuff).

Public's right to know about land contamination will affect values. Ombudsman's landmark ruling. (4 August, Stuff/The Press).

Minister asks for review of conservation funds on private land. (3 August, DOC).

Farming groups reluctant to embrace GE technology. (3 August, Otago Daily Times).

Hawkes Bay: Death of a water way. Mohaka River, a wilderness river protected by an act of Parliament, is being turned into a fouled, murky waterway by intensive dairying, Fish and Game says. (6 August, Dominion Post/Stuff).

Tarawera River: Iwi wants $50m compensation for water, food supply contamination. Opposes resource consent applications by Norske Skog and Carter Holt Harvey to continue discharging effluent. (4 August, Stuff).

North Shore, Auckland: Councillors angry at Enviroschools cuts. (4 August, Horth Shore Times/Stuff).

Whangarei: DOC rangers net 12 people fishing in marine reserves. (1 August, The Northern Advocate).

Spanish and British researchers show NZ bottlenose dolphins abbreviate their body language - just as humans shorten commonly-used words. (4 August, TV3 News).

Education: Government delays full implementation of national standards. (5 August, The Press/Stuff).

Invitation to schools: Environmental Monitoring and Action Project (EMAP)
is setting up a Nationwide Rainfall Investigation Campaign to run in September 2009. They want a network of schools around the country simultaneously collecting rainfall data and loading it onto the international website www.globe.gov. Schools will be able to view their data online and compare it with others’ data around the country.
EMAP will lend rain gauges to participating schools and provide an information pack including data sheet, instructions on how to monitor rainfall, and curriculum
links & activities tied to the mathematics, statistics and science sections
of the curriculum.
To register interest contact: Rebecca Goffin, EMAP National Coordinator:
rebecca.goffin@royalsociety.org.nz or 04 470 5772.

Submissions wanted: Sustainable Biofuel bill, NZ Parliament. By Sept 11.

Re-linked awards, submissions, consultations etc:

• Coming your way... Climate Change. 24 October, 2009 is to be a Global Day of Action to pressure politicians around the world to act decisively at the Copenhagen Climate Change summit in December. Christchurch is planning a climate action festival – with one activity being a 350 strong massed choir.  You are invited to raise your voice in harmony with 349 others at 12.30 pm in the Square on Oct 24. We will sing a set of songs - all easy to learn - with an opportunity to practice before going 'live'. If you'd like to be part of this event contact Jocelyn jyc497@gmail.com so you can be kept informed of arrangements. Background info, see: www.350.org. & www.350.org.nz.
  

• Enviroschools/Good magazine offer: Good magazine will feature Enviroschools in August issue in its regular 8 page feature Good Cause. And publisher HB Media will donate 20% of all subscriptions sold between August and October to the Enviroschools Foundation. A 12 month subscription (6 copies) is $45 – ie $9 will go to Enviroschools.
  

• Have your say: Resource consent application for a private dwelling located in the Outstanding Natural Landscape area of the Rural Zone, and adjacent to the Bridle Path, Lyttelton. (The site can be viewed by looking for the resource consent sign about 300m down from the Summit Rd). Link to the application here. Submissions close Friday 14 August. CCC contact: Sharyn Brown, planner, Lyttelton Area Development Team, DD 941-5603. (28 July, sent in by a reader).
  

• DOC wants feedback on St James Conservation Area discussion paper. By 14 September. Also on draft guidelines for aircraft access in the Canterbury Conservancy. (29 July, DOC).
  
  

• LEARNZ: curriculum related online virtual field trips for all teachers (and their students) in New Zealand. Some trips for the new term:
  Tongariro Volcanoes 29-31 July - More
  Waikato Coal Mining 05-07 August - More
  Southern Wind and Water Power 12-14 August - More
  Waikato Dairy Farming 26-28 August - More
  Kakapo 16-18 September - More

• The Outlook for Someday: A challenge to young New Zealanders (up to age 24) to make a short film interpreting the term ‘sustainability’. For more, see: www.theoutlookforsomeday.net.

• Public comment wanted on new DOC Wild Animal Recovery Operation (WARO) concession permit. By 19 August. (21 July, DOC).

• Submissions wanted: Marine Protection West Coast, South Island. A series of seven ‘underwater national parks’ or marine reserves have been proposed. Your opportunity to protect some of the West Coast’s most prized marine areas and the threatened species that call it home, such as endangered hectors dolphin. More here. (Forest & Bird). Submissions due by Friday 21 August.
  

• Public consultation on draft Christchurch surface water strategy: CCC's goals and objectives for surface water (including stormwater) and water quality management in ChCh rivers and tributaries. Until 14 August. More info and online submissions here. (Have your say, CCC).
  
  
• Metro service review of North East & South West Christhchurch bus routes. Feedback sought. By 14 August. (ECan).
  
  
• Southern Right Whale sightings. DOC wants the public to report sightings as they (whales) make their way south.
  
  
• Submissions invited: on draft Kahurangi National Park management proposals. Including, for e.g., proposals to trial mountain bikes on the Heaphy Track. By 1 September. More here including public meetings. (DOC).
  
  
• Call for Heritage Award nominations in Hagley/Ferrymead area. (CCC).
  
  
• Have your say on the Brooklands Lagoon area parks plans. Consultation closes 31 August.
  
  
• 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 info/applications: www.ecan.govt.nz/eef.
  

& from there

• UK: Global poll finds 73% want higher priority for climate change. Britons are among the keenest to act, Americans among the least. (30 July, The Guardian).
  
  
• UK: Another crunch is coming - but will the world act? There is one major similarity between the energy crisis and the financial crisis and one main difference. (3 August, The Independent).
  
  
• US: Hunky Dory: We're entering a new phase of history: The Long Emergency. James Kunstler on America. (3 August, Clusterfuck Nation).
  
  
• France: The demise of the middle class. Damien Perrotin. (3 August, Energy Bulletin/The view from Brittany).
  
  
• Bucharest: Interview with Prof Serge Latouche, proponent of 'a society of de-growth'. (3 August, IPS News).
  
  
• US: State Parks look for ways of surviving the budget axe. "We're charged with protecting these natural treasures and making them available to the public, but for the first time ever, we simply don't know how we're going to do that without closing some parks for good." (3 August, Time).
  
  
• China: Citizens set to launch first ever green lawsuit against the goverment. (31 July, The Guardian).
  
  
• Canada: Environmental groups dispute green light for GM corn. (1 August, Google).
  
  
• Sahara: Desert greening - due to climate change? (31 July, National Geographic).
  
  
• UK: Hi honey I'm home - new hobby that's creating a buzz in Britian's towns and cities. (5 August, The Guardian).
  Also:
  
• US: Scientists untangle multiple causes of colony collapse disorder. (29 July, Environment News Service).
  Also:
• Israel: New vaccine could save bees from colony collapse disorder. "We take advantage of an immune system that the bees elicit for viral disease... It's not a pesticide and it's not toxic." (15 July, Israel21c.org).
  
  
• UK: Rebuilding Global Fisheries study: Fish will still be on the menu in 2048 - if we are careful. (31 July, Times Online).
  
  
• US: And some raise chickens. As Americans struggle through a dismal recession, many are trying to safeguard themselves from what they fear will be even worse times ahead. (3 August, New York Times).
  
  
• South Africa: Smart chickens not duped by foul play. GM in the mix. (2 August, iol.co.za).
  
  
• UK: Digging out the facts from the manure: Organic food has no health benefits, says FSA. Anyone who says organic food tastes worse than the stuff you get on a supermarket shelf needs to put his head in my deep-fat fryer, says Richard Corrigan. (2 August, Times Online).
  
  
• US: Feral Houses. Detroit area. (23 July, Sweet Juniper).
  
  Technology:
  
• US: Small-scale prototype battery can be scaled up to store 20 kilowatt-hours - enough energy to power a house for most of the day. Is this small disk the key to cost-effective solar-powered homes? (July, Popular Mechanics).
  
  
• UK: The Contortionist: a bike that folds smaller than its wheel. Designed by MA student at the Royal College of Art. (3 August, The Guardian).
  
  Natural world:
  
• UK: Conservation guidelines define important bird areas (IBAs) at sea, applicable anywhere in the world. The world's seabirds are disappearing more quickly than any other group. (29 July, ENS).
  
  
• Italy: 4,500 year old warrior skeleton discovered. Probably killed with an arrow. (1 August, Reuters).
  
  
• When the Sahara was green. About 6000 years ago. (4 August, ecoWorldly).
  
  
• Is Gaia geo-engineering with jellyfish to slow climate change? (3 August, ecoWorldly).
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

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

• Invitation to schools: Environmental Monitoring and Action Project (EMAP) nationwide rainfall investigation project.

  See under news & links.
  
  

• Talk: University of Otago Christchurch's mid-winter dialogues series, 2009.

  Speaker: Tony Ryall, Minister of Health.
  Subject: ?, at his honorable discretion.
  When: 12.30 - 1.30 pm, Friday, 7 August.
  Where: Rolleston Lecture Theatre, Christchurch Hospital.
  Contact: 364 1199.
  
  

• Planting: in Little Hagley Park.

  Replacing native species so they won't interfere with views to the river but will repair habitat and increase diversity to encourage a greater range of wildlife.
  When: 9.00 - c10.00 am Saturday, 8 Aug.
  Where: Meet at park bench downstream of Milbrook Reserve (off Helmores Lane).
  Bring: Gardening gloves, spade.
  Organiser: Colin Meurk, botanist, Landcare Research/Manaaki whenua.
  (Sorry, we got the date wrong last week - ed).
  
  

• Planting day: Barnett Park.

  Native planting (900 trees) to replace removed boneseed.
  When: 10.00 - 1.00 pm Saturday, 8 Aug.
  Where: Barnett Park. (Meet at end of Bayview Rd).
  BBQ afterwards with Meridian staff.
  Bring: A spade, & maybe gloves.
  Contact: Di 941 7572 or 027 234 1353 or Nigel
  027 234 1353.
  Organised by CCC (Regional Parks).
  Sponsored by Meridian Energy (funding for 5 years).
  
  

• Workshop: on an Estuary Shoreline Walkway proposal.

  When: 1.30 - 4.30 pm Saturday, 8 August.
  Where: Mt Pleasant Yacht Club.
  Contact/RSVP: 3842 160, or coordinator@estuary.org.nz.
  All welcome.
  Organised by Avon-Heathcote Ihutai Trust.
  
  

• Telethon: Big Night In: To raise money for Kiwi kids living in poverty.

  When: 7.00 pm Saturday, 8 August.
  Where: TV3.
  More info: www.bignightin.co.nz
  Organised by: Kids Can Stand Tall Charitable Trust & TV3.
  
  

• Lantern ceremony: Hiroshima and Nagasaki commemoration – Never again.

  When: 3.00 - 3.15 pm at the Peace Bell, Botanic Gardens (opp. band rotunda); 4.00 - 5.15 at WEA, 59 Gloucester St. for talks, crane making; 5.30 pm at Armagh St bridge, Victoria Square to float lanterns, Sunday, 9 August.
  Organisers: Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (Otautahi branch), The Quakers Religious Society of Friends, supported by Christchurch City Council Peace City.
  Contact: Mia 980 4884.
  
  

• Invitation: Christchurch Transition Forum.

  Bi-monthly meeting of individuals and groups in the broad Christchurch area to exchange ideas on initiatives for creating more sustainable and resilient communities.
  When: 12.00 (open for byo lunch, tea/coffee provided); 12.30 - 1.30 pm, Tuesday, 11 August.
  Where: St Albans Community Centre, 1024 Colombo St.
  All welcome.
  Contact: Christoph 374 2465.
  
  

• Art Exhibition: Second Life.

  Bringing refuse back to intelligent life. (Works from recycled materials supplied by the Super Shed).
  Top entries from '09 Super Shed schools recycling competition, for Canterbury school children, years 4 - 10.
  When: 11 - 28 August.
  Where: Top Floor, CocA, 66 Gloucester St.
  Also: Recycled/found faces: a workshop for school children, primary/intermediate (year 1 - 8): here. (workshop #2). Background info here(school workshops).
  Contact/info: 366 7261, www.coca.org.nz
  or Nikki topfloor@coca.org.nz.
  Supported by Ministry of Education.
  
  

• Talk: Wednesday nights at the WEA - What about the workers?

  This week: The productivity debate - what's in it for the workers?
  Speaker: Dr Philip Ferguson, University of Canterbury.
  When: 5.30 pm Wednesday, 12 August for tea, coffee, soup. 6.00 pm for lecture and discussion.
  Where: WEA, 59 Gloucester St.
  Cost: Gold coin.
  Register/contact/info: cwea@xtra.co.nz or 366 0285.
  
  

• Talk: Fiji: Unpacking the complexites of a nation in crisis.

  Speaker: Raijeli Nicole.
  When: 1.30 - 2.30 pm Wednesday, 12 Aug.
  Where: WEA, 59 Gloucester St.
  Info/contact: 366 0285 or cwea.org.nz.
  (WEA Issues of the Day series).
  
  

• Talk: Eating the last Kakapo? Climate Change, Biodiversity, Food Supply and Conservation.

  Climate change trends & why humanity is in extremely deep trouble if the world becomes 2˚C warmer for long - a look at some of the longer term scenarios.
  Speaker: Dave Kelly, Professor of Ecology in Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury.
  When: 7.30 pm Wednesday, 12 August.
  Where: WEA, 59 Gloucester St.
  Contact: 366 0285.
  
  

• Workshop: How to make liquid fertilisers.

  When: 2.00 - 4.00 pm Wednesdays. (each Wed in August). Also: 1st Wed each month: pizza oven firing - byo pizza topping.
  Where: New Brighton Community Gardens, 136 Shaw Ave.
  Cost: $2 donation.
  www.nbgardens.co.nz.
  
  

• Public lecture: Pirates, terrorism & catastrophe: Geo-politics in an age of risk.

  Speaker: Christopher Coker, Professor of International Relations, London School of Economics.
  When: 7.00 - 8.30 pm Thursday, 13 Aug.
  Where: venue on payment, University of Canterbury.
  Cost: $10. Students free.
  Info/register: here. (www.canterbury.ac.nz).
  
  

• Talk: UC Climate Change series: Greenspeak: Constructing the sustainable corporation through rhetoric.

  Speaker: Markus Milne, University of Canterbury.
  When: 7.00 - 8.30 pm Thursday, 13 August.
  Where: on registration. (University campus).
  Cost: $15.00, students free.
  More info: Here.
  Organisers: Continuing Education, University of Canterbury.
  
  

• Talk: Human Rights in West Papua.

  Papuans working to settle longstanding grievances with Indonesia in their efforts to create a Land of Peace.
  Speaker: Paula Makabory, exile, & one of the "1000 women for Peace" nominated for 2006 Nobel Peace prize.
  When: 7.30 pm Thursday, 13 Aug.
  Where: WEA, 59 Gloucester St.
  More info: gillian.southey@cws.org.nz, or 366 9274.
  Sponsors: Christian World Service (CWS), ARENA.
  
  

• Talk: University of Otago Christchurch's mid-winter dialogues series, 2009.

  Speaker: Wayne Mapp, Minister of Research, Science & Technology.
  When: 12.30 - 1.30 pm, Friday, 14 August.
  Where: Rolleston Lecture Theatre, ground floor, Christchurch Hospital.
  Contact: 364 1199.
  
  

• One day course: Work in the 21st Century.

  A look at the situation of working and workers globally, drawing on books such as Paul Mason's Live Working or Die Fighting, Naomi Klein's The Shock Doctrine and Karl Marx's Capital.
  Tutor: Dr Philip Ferguson, PhD (history), Canterbury University.
  When: 10.00 - 4.00 pm Saturday, 15 August.
  Where: WEA, 59 Gloucester St.
  Cost: $18.
  Contact/register: 366 0285 or cwea.org.nz.
  
  

• Workday: Travis Wetland.

  When: 9.00 - c12.00 pm Saturday, 15 Aug. (3rd Sat each month).
  Where: Meet at carpark, end of Beach Rd.
  More info/contact: www.traviswetland.org.nz.
  Organisers: Travis Wetland Trust.
  
  

• Workshop: Heritage in St Albans.

  Led by: Anna Crighton, NZ Historic Places Trust National Council, & Bill Demeter, St Albans Residents' Association. 
  When: 1.00 - 3.30 pm Saturday, 15 Aug.
  Where: St Albans Community Centre, 1047 Colombo St.
  Contact: Christoph 374 2465 or christoph@stalbans.gen.nz.
  Organised by Transition Initiative St Albans.
  
  

• Workshop: Cultivating Sustainability - Psychology for Sustainability Advocates.

  A workshop to support those who seek to promote sustainable behaviour - and to provide skills & tools for facilitating behaviour change.
  Presenter: Tim Cotter, Awake, registered psychologist.
  When: 9.30am - 4.30 pm Monday, 17 Aug.
  Where: Travis Wetlands, Beach Rd.
  Registration & more info: www.awake.com.au.
  or timc@awake.com.au or ph. (+61 3) 9387 1181.
  (Dates for other NZ Awake workshops: Dunedin, Tue 18 August; Wellington, Wed 19 Aug; Hastings, Fri 21 Aug; Hamilton, Mon 24 Aug; Auckland, Tue 25 Aug).
  

• EARTHWISE, Plains FM 96.9

  Each Monday & Wednesday at 9.00 pm.
  Conservation, environment and peace with justice.
  This week: Jocelyn Papprill, consultant on Education for Sustainability: How shortsighted, how backward, to cut funding for Sustainability Education, when it is needed now more than ever.
  Presenters: Martin and Lois Griffiths.
  NB: Listen again to Earthwise programmes on archive.

Coming up:

• Talk: Galileo Lecture: Comets and Asteroids.

  Clues to our origin and threats to our survival.
  Speaker: Prof Jack Baggaley, FRAS, FRSNZ, University of Canterbury.
  When: 7.30 - 8.30 pm Wednesday, 19 Aug.
  Where: Lecture theatre E1, School of Engineering, University of Canterbury.
  Cost: Free, all welcome.
  More info: here. (www.royalsociety.org.nz).
  Organisers: Royal Society of NZ (RSNZ) & Radio NZ - to mark 2009 International Year of Astronomy (400 years since Galileo took to the universe with a telescope).
  
  

• Event: Launch of 350 Christchurch.

  Come & help form a human 350 shape outside the Cathedral, filmed from above for the media!
  When: 4.00 - 5.00 pm Thursday, 20 Aug.
  Where: Cathedral Square.
  Aaron from 350Aotearoa will be there, as well as Ecan and CCC councilors.
  Contact/more info: Rik Tindall 332-1069 or rik@infohelp.co.nz.
  Txt your friends, be there!
  
  

• Film: The Age of Stupid.

  Award winning docu-drama. Pete Postlethwaite looks back on our times from 2055.
  When: Thursday, 20 August.
  Where: Hoyts Riccarton, Westfield Mall, Rotherham St.
  Contact: Rhys anneandrhys@clear.net.nz or 960-2656.
  See also:   www.ageofstupid.net/screenings/cinemas/651
  Spread the word (there's no advertising budget).
  Supported by 350.org & other climate action groups.
  
  

• September event: Canterbury Restoration Field-days.

  Bringing back biodiversity.
  When: 19 & 20 September.
  Where: DOC Nursery, Motukarara.
  More info: www.canterburybiodiversity.org.nz.
  Contact: Regional Biodiversity Coordinator, Wayne 03 371 7160 or wayne.mccallum@ecan.govt.nz.

Conferences:

• Two day course: Environmental Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).

  LCA is an analytical tool for the systematic
  evaluation of the environmental impacts of a product or service system through all
  stages of its life. Full explanation & more info here. (Incl. venues, registration, cost etc).
  When: 13, 14 August, Auckland, & 17, 18 September, Christchurch.
  Organised by NZSSES. (NZ Society for Sustainability Engineering and Science).
  
  

• Australian conference: 5th Australia - NZ Climate Change & Business Conference.

  The challenges and the opportunities of transitioning to a low carbon economy at a time of economic stringency.
  When: 24-26 August 2009.
  Where: Melbourne, Victoria.
  Info/Registration: here.
  Organised by: Climate Change and Business Centre, and Point Carbon. EDS also an organising partner.
  
  

• RSNZ workshop: Ocean acidification

  - the science behind it, its relevance to NZ's marine ecosystems, fisheries and aquaculture, & needs and research priorities for the future.
  Primarily for government and private sector agencies with an interest in climate change, the marine environment, fisheries and aquaculture. Intended as a two-way dialogue: to inform agencies of key scientific and technical issues, and to inform the scientific community of the most important priorities for filling knowledge gaps and hence future research.
  When: 9.00 - 4.30 Wed, 9 September.
  Where:
  Registration/info: www.royalsociety.org.nz.
  Organised by: RSNZ.
  
  

• October Conference, Northland: National Marine and Freshwater Wananga.

  For all those involved or interested in freshwater & marine conservation, education and community engagement.
  Theme: Mountains to Sea - Engaging communities in marine and freshwater
  conservation.
  When: Wednesday 7th - Friday 9th October, 2009.
  Where: Whakapaumahara Marae, Whananaki, Northland.
  More info: www.emr.org.nz
  
  

Reminders:

• Volunteers wanted: 2009 NZ Garden Bird Survey returns.

  To help enter survey results onto the internet. Need to have an internet connection, preferably broadband, & able to work from home.
  Contact: Eric Spurr spurreb@slingshot.co.nz , scientist for Landcare Research/Manaaki Whenua.
  

• Free home composting workshops:

  Hot composting of kitchen scraps & garden waste, Bokashi and worm farms. All methods demonstrated.
  At several sites:
  1. Seven Oaks Education Centre, 35 Hassals Lane. 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.
  
  

• Gardening courses: starting a garden, seed saving, composting, pickling & preserving, etc.

  Where: Strickland Street Community Garden, 188 Strickland Street, Spreydon. 
  When: for times & dates see their website www.sscommunitygarden.net.nz.
  Further info/contact: 942 6630.
  Supported by CCC.