from here

Canterbury & South Island news:

Irrigators support regional water proposal. (8 September, Stuff/The Press).

Hurunui: project opponents warn of impact. (10 September, Stuff/The Press).

Lincoln: NZ's first wind assisted supermarket. (10 September, The Press/Stuff).

Christchurch to celebrate World Parks Day with Travis Wetland planting. (9 September, CCC).

Beehive book launch next week for biography of Elsie Locke . (September, University of Canterbury).

Breathing life into central south Christchurch. Display at Our City/Otautahi. (7 September, CCC).

Governors Bay: Old man's beard gets more than just a trim. (4 September, ECan).

Two plant pests savaged on Ashburton River. (4 September, ECan).

Marlborough: Paua farming a possible addition to mussel farming. (9 September, Marlborough Express/Stuff).

Marlborough: Assault to start on wilding pines. (7 September, Marlborough Express/Stuff).

Kaikoura: Motorists asked to watch out for seals. One a month being killed. (8 September, Stuff/The Press).

Timaru: Council to invest in Ngai Tahu's rock art centre. Intends to tell the story of rock art within the history of South Canterbury. (8 September, Timaru Herald/Stuff).

Lower Waitaki farmers to discuss water metering. (9 September, ECan).

Mackenzie Basin: Contentious District plan change has loosened restrictions on farming activities. (8 September, Timaru Herald/Stuff).

Otago: Forests carbon credit sale to Norwegian Govt the world's largest forest-sink sale to date.(10 September, Otago Daily Times).

Invercargill: Cold snap turns tuatara off food and love. (9 September, Southland Times/Stuff).

Glenorchy: Accolades for Blanket Bay. A coup for NZ too. (10 September, Southland Times/Stuff).

North Island & national:

Parliament passes RMA reforms. Only the Greens and the Maori Party opposed. (10 September, Stuff).

Emissions trading: A grand 'coalition' the best way forward. (7 September, NBR).

Livestock gas: now the biggest risk to ozone layer. (7 September, NZ Herald).

Te Maori may be about to go on the road again. Last time round 620,000 Americans went to see it. (10 September, Stuff/The Dominion Post).

NZ lags in OECD education survey. (10 September, Stuff/The Press).

Half of Kiwi school leavers "financially illiterate" and ill-prepared for the future, a new money knowledge survey shows. (7 September, Stuff/The Press).

Auckland's transport system to receive $2.8 billion funding boost. (9 September, Auckland City Harbour News/Stuff).

Wellington: New era for Wellington rail network. (7 September, Stuff/Dominion Post).

Porirua: City Council wins top local government award. (6 September, Otago Daily Times).

Hawkes Bay: Waterway pollution patrols take to the air. (9 September, Dominion Post/Stuff).

Trees need protection, says Labour. (7 September, Otago Daily Times).

'Green roofs' help cushion urban footprint. Opinion. (7 September, NZ Herald).

Scientists excited: discovery of new links between southern right whales from subantarctic Auckland Islands and NZ mainland. (7 September, Otago Daily Times).

Waitakere Ranges, Auckland: Kokako re-establishment attempt. (9 September, Stuff).

Massey: Commercial long fin eel ban urged. (8 September, Manawatu Standard/Stuff).

Wellington DOC's Conservation Week scheme: Create your own garden lounges for lizards. (4 September, DOC).

2009 Conservation Week events. (7 September, DOC).

Re-linked awards, submissions, consultations etc:

• Bayerboost Environmental Scholarship Scheme: administered by Royal Society of NZ, in partnership with Bayer, to sponsor secondary school and tertiary students intending to study environmental sciences or related areas, in summer work/research programmes to gain experience that will support their future careers. Applications to RSNZ by 5.00pm 30 September. More info here. (www.bayerboost.co.nz).
  
  
• Entries for 2010 Canterbury Ballance Farm Environment Awards open 1 September and close 23 October, 2009. Entry forms/more info: www.bfea.org.nz or contact: Nicola Hunt, Canterbury Regional Co-ordinator, Ballance Farm Environment Awards, (03) 353 9711, email bfea@ecan.govt.nz
  
  

• Public views sought on Council's funding of new conservatorium of music at the Arts Centre. Till 23 September.
  

• Planned cycle lane for Harewood Road - public's views wanted. Before 2 October. (CCC).
  

• MAF sustainable farming fund: applications for over $20,000 close 7 October. more info here. (MAF).
  

• 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 Field Trips: fully supported and free for all New Zealand teachers. All you need is a computer and internet connection. Go to www.learnz.org.nz to register or call 0800 22 55 53.
  And for Conservation Week: 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. Closes 18 September.
  
  
• Feel the Heat Petition. Take action on Climate Change. (www.oxfam.org.nz).
  Also:
  Sign on. There's no planet B. Sign On (More than 105,000 NZers so far). (www.signon.org.nz).
  
  
• Have your say: current CCC consultations.

& from there

• UK: Climate deal is 'in the balance'. "There is a real danger that the talks scheduled for December will not reach an agreement" - Milliband. (8 September, BBC).
  
  
• Germany: Climate scientists call for a "world climate bank" that would allow industrialized countries to purchase emission rights from less-developed nations. (31 August, Spiegel Online).
  
  
• UK: Extreme and risky action the only way to tackle climate change, say scientists. Geo-engineering 'better than doing nothing'. (1 September, The Guardian).
  
  
• China: China, green? In the case of solar water heating, yes. On nearly every roof in some cities. (6 September, Los Angeles Times).
  
  
• EU: Probe into dairy costs. (8 September, The Irish News).
  
  
• US: Interview with Robert Hirsch - The Stonewalling of Peak Oil. Robert L. Hirsch was lead author of a seminal report – Peaking of World Oil Production: Impacts, Mitigation & Risk Management - written for the US Dept. of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (DOE, NETL) and released in early 2005. (7 September, Energy Bulletin).
  
  
• EU: Europe unites in attempt to save blue-fin tuna. (9 September, The Independent).
  
  
• UK: Urban ecology expert says: From a biodiversity point of view most farm land would be improved by having a housing estate built on it. (8 September, Times Online).
  
  
• UK: The earth mother helping to beat bad parent Britain - with the aid of a farm, fresh air and hard work. (3 September, Daily Mail).
  
  
• UK: Short haired bumble bee to be re-introduced to UK from NZ where small pockets of descendents live on. (7 September, The Guardian).
  
  
• US: Bike-o-rama: A roundup of the best in new bikes, bike infrastructure, blogs, books and more. (28 August, Worldchanging).
  Also:
  Wanderlusting: Copenhagen cycle culture. (8 September, Worldchanging).
  
  Technology:
  
• China: US's First Solar to build world's biggest (2GW) solar power plant in China. 30 times the size of the current largest. (9 September, China Daily).
  
  
• Norway: World's first floating wind turbine onstream. (10 September, The Norway Post).
  
  
• Nepal: Teenager, 18, invents much cheaper solar panel that uses human hair. (8 September, Daily Mail).
  
  Natural world:
  
• Superb vistas from reborn Hubble. (9 September, BBC).
  
  
• Brain changes may have led to stone age tools. (26 August, SF Gate).
  
  
• UK: Killer genes cause potato famine. (9 September, BBC).
  
  
• PNG: New species of giant rat found. "Just like a little puppy". (1min 46 video clip). (6 septmeber, Earth News, BBC).
  
  
• US: Detached gecko tails dance to their own tune. (10 September, Physorg.com).

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• Public presentation: first Draft of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy (CWMS).

  When: 10.30 - 11.30 am Friday, 11 Sept.
  Where: Oxford Tce Baptist Church Hall).
  Also: (2.30 -3.30 pm) St Johns Hall, Amberley.
  RSVP: raewyn.crowther@ecan.govt.nz or 03 371 7188.
  Background info (& a link to the draft CWMS): www.canterburywater.org.nz
  
  

• Work day: weedbusting - Boneseed removal.

  When: 9.00 - 12.00 pm Saturday, 12 Sept.
  Where: Barnett Park; meet end of Bayview Rd.
  Bring: gloves, saw, loppers. Otherwise supplied.
  Contact: Nigel 941 7573 or 027 234 1353.
  Organised by Port Hills Rangers Service, CCC.
  
  

• e-day: Cleaning up NZ's e-waste.

  A drive-through recycling event giving the opportunity to recycle old computers or mobile phones in an environmentally sustainable way.
  When: 9.00 - 3.00 pm Saturday, 12 Sept.
  Where: Canterbury Agriculture Park. (map here); & (schools only) see here.
  More info: www.eday.org.nz/
  
  

• Guided botanical walk:

  looking at recently established lagoons and waterways around edges of the Tamaki Maori Village, along the lower Heathcote, around the towpath track, across to Trees for Canterbury Nursery, Charlesworth Reserve and the estuary.
  Guide: Colin Meurk, botanist, Landcare Research/Manaaki Whenua.
  When: 9.00 am – 2-ish Saturday, 12 September.
  Where: Meet at Ferrymead Historic Park car park.
  Bring: Sturdy footwear, all-weather clothing, lunch, money for a possible shuttle bus.
  Contact: Anna-Marie, reesey@xtra.co.nz.
  
  

• Public rally: Don't Let The Sun Set On Night Classes.

  National day of action to oppose government's intention to cut funding for night classes.
  Show your support for retaining this important avenue of life-long learning in our community.
  When: 12.00 pm Saturday, 12 September.
  Where: Speakers Corner, Cathedral Square.
  
  

• Event: Seed Swap Southern Seed Exchange.

  When: 12.00 - 4.00 pm Saturday, 12 Sept.
  Where: Seven Oaks School, cnr York St & Hassels Lane.
  Bring: Seeds or plants to swap or gold coin donation.
  Contact: Southern Seed Exchange  325 1310
  
  

• Market: Rolleston Envirotown Market

  Produce and crafts.
  Opening Day: 10.00 - 1.00 pm Sunday, 13 September. (Once a month, 2nd Sunday).
  Where: Rolleston Square, Rolleston.
  Interested to have a stall?
  Contact: Catherine 347 8240 or Nicole: tonicermu@gmail.com (with Rolleston Envirotown Market in the subject line).
  
  

• Talk/discussion: Radical Abundance -

  Based on webcasts of a conference held January 2009 at Trinity Church, Wall Street, New York.
  When: 1.00 pm Sunday, 13 September.
  Speaker: Majora Carter, a MacArthur "Genius" Fellow, & one of the most influential African-Americans. 2001 she founded Sustainable South Bronx to alleviate poverty, improve the environment, & reduce public health costs.
  Where: Cathedral chancel, Cathedral, Square.
  More Info: www.christchurchcathedral.co.nz.
  
  

• Workshop: Investment Strategies for a turbulent future.
  

  (Registrations close Sunday, 13 Sept).
  When: 8.45 – 4.30 pm Thursday, 17 September,
  Where: N 604 & N 605, CPIT (Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology).
  Cost: Commercial & Government $595. Individuals & non-profit organisations $395. (Concessions for 4 or more from the same organisation). Students $50. (Some places available for $25 for people on low-incomes or community organisation representatives).
  To register/contact: Rex VerityR@cpit.ac.nz.
  Sponsored/organised by: Sustainable Aotearoa New Zealand, & the Council for Socially Responsible Investment.
  
  

• Conservation Week: 2009 - Kia Mahia te Mahi: Get Involved.

  An annual series of national DOC events.
  When: 13 - 20 September.
  More info: here (www.doc.govt.nz/conservation-week/events/canterbury).
  Also:
  
• Conservation Week: teachers: Get your class involved first-hand with saving the world's rarest parrot. Take part, live, in the Kakapo virtual field trip to Whenua Hou (Codfish Island) 16-18 September.
  Also:
  
• Love it or lose it: Save our treasured places. (Launch of Green Party's anti-mining campaign to coincide with Conservation Week).
  No government has the right to deprive our children of our most treasured places & native species. More here (www.greens.org.nz).
  
  

• Talk: Climate Change Update

  Speaker: Melissa Clark-Reynolds, Al Gore climate change ambassador - sharing latest information and pictures on climate change to update the Al Gore movie 'An Inconvenient Truth', and to talk about prospects for NZ.
  When: 7.00 - 9.00 pm Tuesday, 15 Sept.
  Where: Open Stage Theatre, Hagley Community College. (Access from Hagley Avenue).
  
  

• Talk: WEA Issues of the Day series.

  The Hutton's Shearwater project at Kaikoura.
  Speaker: Geoff Harrow, founder of The Hutton’s Shearwater Charitable Trust.
  When: 1.30 - 2.30 pm, Wed, 16 September.
  Where: WEA, 59 Gloucester St.
  Cost: $4.00
  More info/contact: WEA cwea@xtra.co.nz or 366 0285.
  
  

• Talk & discussion: Wednesday nights at the WEA.

  This week: The early years of the NZ Labour Party.
  Speakers: Quentin Findlay and Phil Ferguson.
  When: 5.30 pm Wednesday, 16 September.(Soup, bread, tea & coffee at 5.30, talk and discussion at 6.00 pm).
  Where: WEA, 59 Gloucester St.
  Cost: Gold coin.
  Register/contact/info: cwea@xtra.co.nz or 366 0285.
  
  

• Talk: 4th Annual Pallot Memorial Lecture:

  Holding humanity to account for the future state of the planet.
  Speaker: Jonathan Boston, Personal Chair, Public Policy, & Director, Institute of Policy Studies, University of Canterbury.
  When: 5.30 - 6.30 pm Wednesday, 16 September.
  Where: Hurst Seager room, Arts Centre.
  More info/contact: here.
  
  

• Talk: 2009 MacMillan Brown Lecture: Te Kaimanga - towards a new vision for matauranga Maori.

  Speaker: Te Ahukaramu Charles Royal.
  When: 6.30 - 7.30 Wednesday, 16 Sept.
  Where: Central lecture theatre C3, University of Canterbury. map here.
  More info: here.
  
  

• Workshop: Reconstruct Your Clothes!

  When: 1.00 pm Saturday, September 19.
  Where: St Albans Community Centre, 1047 Colombo St.
  Contact: 379 6350.
  
  

• Work day: weedbusting (again) - Boneseed removal.

  When: 9.00 - 12.00 pm Saturday, 19 Sept.
  Where: Barnett Park; meet end of Bayview Rd.
  Bring: gloves, saw, loppers. Otherwise supplied.
  Contact: Nigel 941 7573 or 027 234 1353 or
  Organised by Port Hills Rangers Service, CCC.
  
  

• Planting day: The Travis Wetland Trust.

  To continue the matai/kahikatea/totara forest establishment.
  When: 10.00 am - 12.00 pm Saturday, 19 Sept.
  Where: Meet at the Education Centre, end of Beach Rd.
  Bring: gumboots, gloves, water etc. Spades provided. A BBQ will follow.
  Cancellations on Newstalk ZB.
  Info/contact: http://traviswetland.org.nz.
  In association with Trees for Canterbury & CCC to celebrate World Parks Day. (see here).
  
  

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

  When: 10.00 - 5.00 pm, 19 September. (Field trips round central Canterbury 20 September).
  Where: DOC nursery, Motukarara.
  More info/registration & programme: www.canterburybiodiversity.org.nz/ .
  Contact: wayne.mccallum@ecan.govt.nz.
  
  

• EARTHWISE, Plains FM 96.9

  Each Monday & Wednesday at 9.00 pm.
  Conservation, environment and peace with justice.
  This week: Green MP Catherine Delahunty: on saving tropical rainforests from illegal logging. 
  Presenters: Martin and Lois Griffiths.
  NB: Listen again to Earthwise programmes on archive.
  
  

• Wellington event: Conservation Day at the Zoo.

  When: Sunday, 20 September.
  Info & the day's programme: Here. (www.wellingtonzoo.com).
  

Coming up:

• UN International Day of Peace:

  WMD We must disarm.
  When: 21 September.
  Background info: www.un.org
  
  

• World Car Free Day, 22 September.

  
  

• Community planting: Lake Heron, Ashburton Lakes.

  Part of the O Tu Wharekai Wetland Restoration Project - i.e. one of three Arawai Käkäriki projects, aimed at restoring three nationally significant wetlands with help from the community, and along the way learn more about methods to use on other wetlands.
  When: 2.00 - 5.00 pm Wed, 23 Sept.
  Where: Meet at the Lake Heron Rd end (from the Hakatere-Heron Rd, turn right at Lake Heron). It's an easy 20min walk to the site.
  Bring: gumboots, warm clothing, a spade, and a drink.
  Sausage sizzle at 5pm.
  Contact: Wendy Sullivan 03 693 1013.
  
  

• Movie NZ premiere: Soldiers For Peace

  The good news is peace is breaking out.
  Documentary narrated by Michael Douglas,
  showing inspiring, every day people around the globe who are proving that peace is a more viable alternative to war.
  When: 8.00 pm Wednesday, 23 September & 2.00 pm Sunday, 27 September.
  Where:  Regent on Worcester. Two times only.
  Tickets: $15.00 through The Yak - ph 385 9590  or 021 062 1092
  All profits to 'World March for Peace & Non-violence Aotearoa-NZ'.
  More/trailer: www.soldiersofpeacemovie.com.
  
  

• Concert: Earthdance.
  

  Bands include The Eastern, Minisnap, The Unfaithful Ways, Steve Gainsford, The South Tonight - & more!
  When: 12.00 pm till sunset Sunday, 27 September.
  Where: Manaia Native Habitat, Okuti Valley, Little River. (The old Birdland's Sanctuary).
  Cost: $5 on the gate - proceeds to Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust.
  Also to celebrate re-opening of Little River campground.
  Contact: Marcus, Little River campground, 021 611820 or marcus@cpsa.org.nz
  More info: www.earthdance.org. & Here
  
  

• Vegetarian  Food And Lifestyle Expo:

  NZ's biggest vegetarian event.
  When: 10.00 - 4.30 pm Sunday, 27 Sept.
  Where: Horticultural Centre, Riccarton Ave. 
  More info: www.vegetarianexpo.org.nz
  or Christchurch Vegetarian Centre 940 9483.
  
  

• Wellington event: Camp for climate action:

  Team up, get trained, take action.
  Seeks to address the real causes of climate change & build a people's movement that can and will stop disastrous climate change.
  When: 16 - 21 December, 2009.
  Where: Wellington.
  More info/contact: www.climatecamp.org.nz.
  

Reminders:

• 350.org: Global Day of Action, 24 October.

  Choir update - Join 349 other singers at Victoria Square (in front of the Plaza Hotel) 2.00 pm, for 2.30 start, 24 October, to sing a set of easy to learn songs (with an opportunity to practice before going 'live').
  Contact: Jocelyn jyc497@gmail.com so you
  can be kept informed of arrangements. Thanks to those who have already
  been in contact.
  Also:
  
• Ideas, volunteers, and donations needed for the Global day of Action on the 24th October (and plenty of action building up to it!)
  If you are concerned about Climate Change, now is the time to do something.
  Want to join in?  Already being planned - Dawn celebration, massed choir, massive bike cavalcade, & more - see: www.350.org.nz
  or contact: Torfrida 382-0580 or 021-107-3937 or torfrida@snap.net.nz.
  
  

• 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.
  
  

• Volunteers wanted: weed control in Mackenzie Basin - in November.

  Help protect the biodiversity of this striking landscape together with rangers from the Department of Conservation (DOC).
  When: 23 - 27 November.
  More info: Here (www.doc.govt.nz/getting-involved/...).