from here

Canterbury & South Island news:

ECan & Tasman DC : Toxic properties list won't be made public. The location of more than 4000 potentially contaminated properties in the Canterbury and Tasman districts will not be revealed in a public register, despite a ruling by the Office of the Ombudsmen to do so. (13 October, Stuff/The Press).
Also:
ECan says it may release list of region's contaminated sites, but only after more research. (14 October, Timaru Herald/Stuff).

Scientist: Farming to blame for taint in Christchurch drinking water. (13 October, Stuff/The Press).

Hurunui irrigation scheme on hold for up to a year. (15 October, Stuff/The Press).

CPW scales back its irrigation project. (13 October, Stuff /The Press).
Also:
CPW scheme would degrade Lake Ellesmere & lowland streams, say experts. (14 October, Stuff/The Press).

Avon River: Report identifies sources of contaminants. (13 October, ECan).

Many worried about where to find next meal. (15 October, Stuff/The Press).

Exhibition at Our City/Otautahi: Never be afraid - a NZ soldier writes to his niece from a prisoner of war camp. One of the Council's projects in 2009 Beca Heritage Week: Discover Christchurch in peace and conflict. 16 - 22 October.

Nelson: Australian mining giant gains permit on land bordering national parks. (14 October, Stuff/The Nelson Mail).

Nelson: Soiled reserves spark freedom camping call. (14 October, Stuff/The Nelson Mail).

Ashburton Lakes: Desirable waterfront property development: Tourist operator builds floating grebe nests. (12 October, DOC).

Otago: New approach to dealing with run-off pollution. Some farmers might have to put significant parts of their land into wetlands or invest in a treatment system. (14 October, Otago Daily Times).

Clutha River: Small island on the river could again prove a thorn in the side of Contact Energy. (15 October, Otago Daily Times).

Queenstown: Biosecurity conference: Emergence of new weeds as South Island freshwater threats. Lagarosiphon and didymo the "big nasties" but parrot feather, hornwort, egeria, senegal tea, alligator weed ... (15 October, Otago Daily Times).

Lower South Island: Didymo controls back in force 5 years on. On 15 October 2004 NIWA scientist Cathy Kilroy first noticed a “weird, brown, fungusy stuff” in the Lower Waiau River in Southland. (15 October, DOC).

Southland: Wilding pines eradication scheme could be in jeopardy from ETS. (15 October, Southland Times/Stuff).

North Island & national:

Mike Moore decries buying up third world for food security. Rich nations are practising a modern form of colonialism by acquiring farmland in poorer countries. (1 October, NBR).

University of Waikato research grant: Sustainability at a crossroads. NZ’s 100% Pure image – crucial for tourism, food and beverage exports -- could be under threat if we can’t demonstrate a genuine commitment to sustainability. Yet with the economic downturn...different interest groups debate whether economic growth should take priority over environmental and social well-being. (12 October, Scoop).

ETS changes benefit farmers. $1.6 billion better off. (14 October, Stuff/The Press).

Forests proposal for high country. (15 October, NZ Herald).

Wellington: Thumbs up for Long Gully wind farm. Christchurch-based Windflow Technology Ltd a step closer to a second buyer for its two-bladed turbines. (12 October, Dominion Post/Stuff).
Also:
Wind farm approval sparks vow to fight the 30 metre high, 25 turbine project. (13 October, Dominion Post/Stuff).

Wairarapa: Sites eyed for more wind farms. (15 October, Dominion Post/Stuff).

Manawatu wind farms: Timing of the hearings on Turitea and an extension of Te Rere Hau means neither farm is required to consider the other. (14 October, Stuff/Manawatu Standard).
Also: Te Rere Hau: more than 100 noise complaints. (13 October, Manawatu Standard/Stuff).

Central North Island: rail trail cycleway through Pureora Forest Park for development. Open by December, 2010.

Ngunguru, Northland: Keen interest in release of 7 kiwi. (14 October, Northern Advocate).

NZ's favourite bird revealed. (15 October, The Press/Stuff).

Historic knowledge wiped out. About 500 years ago NZ was hit by the mother of all tsunamis. Opinion, Bob Brockie. (12 October, Dominion Post/Stuff).

Meet The Locals: education resources available free to NZ classrooms - teaching tools for some of our natural heritage. Set of DVDs and PDFs in 16 episodes across 4 subjects to suit the curriculum for Years 7 - 9, but appropriate for younger levels too. Many episodes feature NZ children doing their bit to protect native wildlife. John Key introduces the series.
Teachers register their details at http://tvnz.co.nz/meetthelocals by clicking on the 'Meet The Locals Education Resource' tile. Registrations close 5.00 pm Friday, 30 October, DVDs to be sent out mid-November. The accompanying PDF resources will be available for download from the TVNZ6 site from mid November. Topics included are NZ Biology - Reptiles and Insects; NZ Biology - Birds; NZ History; and NZ Geography. Each episode is under 5 minutes in length, so can easily slot into any lesson plan. Series host, Nic Vallance, and Department of Conservation. Funded by TVNZ6.

Re-linked awards, submissions, consultations etc:

• Urgent: The Greens' Customs and Excise (Sustainable Timber) Amendment Bill: Concerned about palm oil?  Deforestation? The costs to indigenous people who depend on it? Loss of habitat for orangutan and other species? Climate change?
  Write to John Key asking him to ban the import of unsustainable timber.
  Address (free post) to: Hon John Key, Prime Minister, Executive Wing, Parliament Buildings.
  Or send an e-card: John Key: Support the Sustainable Timber Bill. (Time is of the essence - it is likely to come before the House on 21 October).
  If successful the Bill will require all wood coming into New Zealand to be certified legal and sustainable. To succeed in Parliament it is important the Government is made aware of the views of as many New Zealanders as possible. More information: www.greens.org.nz/rainforests.
  
  
• LEARNZ Field trips:
  Project Crimson (pohutakawa and southern rata restoration) 21 - 23 October.
  Wetland Treasures (Ashburton Lakes) 4 - 6 November.
  Cool Wind Farm (Antarctica) 12 - 20 November.
  Blue Duck (Karamea) 18 - 20 November.
  Background info & more here: www.learnz.org.nz. Supported by Ministry of Education.
  
  

• Metro service improvements: From Monday, 2 November. Greater frequency, route extensions, more direct routes, and new services. Lots of routes are changing. Check them out - you may be affected. (Source: Metro, www.metro.co.nz).

• Big Game hunting discussion document. Open for submissions till 23 November. (25 September, DOC).
  
  
• Exhibition (multi-media): "Greater Christchurch - there is a plan, we're on our way".  Showcases the Urban Development Strategy, adopted in 2007, which aims to protect water, enhance open spaces, improve transport links, create more liveable centres and manage population growth in a sustainable way.
  Where: Our City O-Tautahi, corner Worcester St and Oxford Tce.
  When: 10.00 - 4.00 pm, Mon-Sat, 22 September - 24 October. Free admission. (The UDS is a partnership of CCC, Waimakariri District Council, Selwyn District Council, ECan & the New Zealand Transport Agency).
  
  
• Submissions wanted: The Northern Pegasus Bay Management Plan: Waimakariri & Hurunui District Councils are releasing draft bylaws to control the use of vehicles and horses and the use of land for camping on the foreshore, beaches and adjacent areas of Northern Pegasus Bay from north of the mouth of the Waimakariri river to the Rocks area of Amberley Beach. Hurunui proposals open for submissions until October 30 and Waimakariri submissions open from September 26 to October 27.
  
  
• Entries for 2010 Canterbury Ballance Farm Environment Awards close 23 October. 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.
  
  
• 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 110,000 NZers so far). (www.signon.org.nz).
  
  
• Have your say: current CCC consultations.
  
  
• Love it or lose it: save our heritage places. No government has the right to deprive our children of our most treasured places and native species. Download the petition, send a message to PM. (The Green Party's anti-mining webpage).
  
  
• Nominations for the 2009 Roger Award for the worst transnational corporation operating in Aotearoa/New Zealand close 31 October. More info/entry forms: here. (CAFCA).
  

& from there

• Thailand: Climate talks end with diplomats looking to Obama for leadership (9 October, The Guardian).
  
  
• UK: "4 Degrees and Beyond, International Climate Science Conference", University of Oxford. Four degrees of devastation. Eighteen months ago, no one dared imagine humanity pushing the climate beyond an additional two degrees C of heating, but rising carbon emissions and inability to agree on cuts has meant science must now consider the previously unthinkable. Two degrees is already gone as a target. (Stephen Leahy, 9 October, IPSnews.net)
  
  
• UK: Examining the pledges made by the European Union, Japan, Russia, New Zealand, Australia, Norway, Belarus, Ukraine and Canada: Developed country emissions pledges fall short, WRI analysis shows. (9 October, The Guardian).
  
  
• UK: Fairtrade's Cafedirect: Climate change already wreaking havoc on livelihoods of small-scale tea and coffee farmers in some of the world's poorest countries. (10 October, The Guardian).
  
  
• Amazon: And then there were five. Last surviving members of an ancient tribe a tragic testament to greed and genocide. (13 October, The Independent).
  
  
• Colorado, US: Richard Heinberg address to ASPO International conference:
  We have entered the century of transition, decline, contraction—choose your favorite word. It is the century of limits. And we must learn quickly to get by with less—ultimately, much less—of just about everything—in order to live within those limits. It is a tough message. But it’s the truth...
  (13 October, Post Carbon Institute). (ASPO: Assn for the study of Peak Oil).
  
  
• US: The other inconvenient truth: the crisis in global land use - could undermine the health, security, and sustainability of our civilization. Although I’m a climate scientist by training, I worry about this collective fixation on global warming as the mother of all environmental problems.
  (5 October, environment 360).
  
  
• US: Elinor Ostrom - first woman to win Nobel prize for economics. Friends say she lives the life she preaches, dedicating her life to environmental issues. (13 October, Times Online).
  
  
• Canada: David Suzuki awarded 'Alternative Nobel' prize - says he's proud to receive the prize... but humiliated that Canada has become an international pariah when it comes to climate change. (13 October, Yahoo).
  Also: Alyn Ware of New Zealand lauded as "one of the world's most effective peace workers": Environment, disarmament health activists share Swedish prize. (13 October, Yahoo).
  
  
• UK: 10:10. Top ten tips for a greener, happier life. (10 October, The Guardian).
  (Background to 10:10 - What's it all about? (1 September, The Guardian)).
  
  
• UK: Opinion: Ecotowns are a blind alley. For green living, head for Mumbai or New York. Simon Jenkins. (8 October, The Guardian).
  
  
• US: California to ban power sucking big screen TVs. (14 October, Treehugger).
  
  
• US: From abstraction to consumption: Oil. Edward Burtinsky's New York exhibition. 15 picture slideshow. (The Guardian).
  
  
• Australia: Get Up! (Action for Australia): See their latest advt seeking help to oppose the coal mining lobby. (52 sec video clip).
  
  
• Jordan: Intends to refill shrinking Dead Sea with salt water. Presently falling by four feet a year. (10 October, Telegraph.co.uk).
  
  
  
Technology:

• UK: Prize for electricity free fridge. 22-year-old Leeds student named one of the Women of the Year after inventing a "sustainable" fridge. (13 October, BBC).
  
  
• Israel: Colourful solar panels that don't need direct sunlight. (17 September, Cleantechnica).
  
  
• US: Seawater plants yield green aviation fuel in new research. (6 October, UPI).
  
  
• US: Floating house could ride New Orleans' floods. Can withstand up to 12 feet of water. Built for actor Brad Pitts' Make It Right Foundation. (9 October, Christian Science Monitor).
  
  
• US: Dow Chemical's first solar rooftop shingles next year. (5 October, Reuters).
  
  
• US: The most compact urban folding bike ever. (7 October, Treehugger).
  Also:
  Bike trailers. (5 October, Treehugger).
  
  Natural world:
  
  
• Environmental clean up: German-built robots to be sent into earth's orbit to repair 'dead satellites' or push them into outer space. (11 October, the Guardian).
  
  
• Australia: New research : Conservation biologists setting minimum population targets too low. "Populations smaller than about 5,000 had unacceptably high extinction rates. This suggests many targets for conservation recovery are simply too small to do much good in the long run." (13 October, Environmental News Network).
  
  
• UK: Banana marks seed bank milestone. Kew Gardens' Millennium Seed Bank has reached its target of collecting 10% of the world's wild plants.
  
  
• off Africa: The great sardine run: dolphins, sharks, whales and birds compete underwater for fish. 17 Photos. (telegraph.co.uk).
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

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

• Help: Aorangi School needs support in appealing closure decision.

  More info here: www.aorangi.ac.nz.
  
  

• Disaster Awareness Week: 11 - 17 October.

  More info: www.cdemcanterbury.govt.nz
  (Civil Defence Emergency Management Group).
  
  

• South Canterbury farm visit/field day: Nick & Michelle Ward's, (Supreme Award winners at this year’s Ballance Farm Environment Awards, Canterbury region).

  Tillage systems, developing new crops, financial management, the benefits of soil structure...the Wards’ focus is on small scale specialist production.
  When: 10.30 - 3.30 pm Friday, 16 October.Where: Rhys Farm, 693 Milford Clandeboye Rd, Temuka.
  More info/contact: r.hayes@slingshot.co.nz or (03) 318 1707.
  
  

• Public demonstration/march: Hurunui Dam Busters.

  Help fight plans to ruin the last wild river in Canterbury. Help highlight the importance of this issue to the people of Canterbury. Join   kayakers, anglers, jet boaters, whitebaiters, trampers, conservationists,  hunters, artists and
  everyone else keen to see the Hurunui protected  for present and future  generations.
  Speakers (at conclusion of the march): Russell Norman MP, & Rosalie Snoyink, anti-CPW stalwart.
  When: 12.15 pm Friday, 16 October.
  Where: Bridge of Remembrance, Cashel St. & a
  walk alongside the Avon to Victoria Square.
  More here: dambusters homepage. (www.completeangler.co.nz)
  
  

• Sustainable living course at New Brighton.

  Six sessions.
  When: 11.00am - 1.30 pm Saturdays, 17 Oct; & 7 , 14 , 21, 28 Nov; & 5 Dec.
  Contact/more info/register: George Aorangi (available Tues &Thurs, or leave phone message) at New Brighton Community Garden  3886506, or nbgardens@xtra.co.nz. 
  
  

• Canterbury Home Show's eco-living seminars:

  When: Friday - Sunday, 16 - 18 October.
  Topics & timetable: here. (www.canterburyhomeshow.co.nz/eco.htm).
  
  

• Workday: Travis Wetland.

  When: 9.00 - c12.00 pm Saturday, 17 Oct. (3rd Sat each month).
  Where: Meet at carpark, end of Beach Rd.
  More info/contact: www.traviswetland.org.nz.
  Organisers: Travis Wetland Trust.
  
  

• Public talk: The roots of the economic crisis.

  Speaker: Prof Jim Flynn. (see here).
  When: 3.15 pm Saturday, 17 October.
  Where: WEA, 59 Gloucester St.
  Contact/more info: allcon29@gmail.com.
  
  

• Orari Gorge alder removal day.

  When: From 9.00 am Sunday, 18 October.
  All (with loppers, gumboots) welcome. BBQ lunch to follow.
  More info/contact: here (http://ecan.govt.nz).
  Also: Here. (Timaru Herald/Stuff)
  
  

• Work days: Quail Island Restoration Trust planting days.

  When: Sunday, 18 October.
  (Ferry leaves Lyttelton 9.20 am and returns 3.30 pm).
  Booking essential.
  Contact: Ian McLennan ph 384 5338 or id.mclennan@xtra.co.nz.
  Background info: www.quailisland.org.nz
  
  

• Open days: CCC Waste.

  - Christchurch waste water treatment plant
  - Organics plant.
  - Recycling plant.
  When: 10.00 - 3.00 pm Sunday, 18 Oct.
  Where, etc: see brochure here.
  
  

• Garden visit & discussion: Soil & Health Association.

  From a virtually empty section 20 years ago, a unique garden that combines a love of native plants with the desire for food production. Learn more about edible landscaping and no-dig gardening methods. A limited number of seedlings for sale on the day.
  When: 2.00 pm Sunday, 18 October.
  Where: 48 Neville St, Spreydon
  Cost: Members free, non-members $2.00.
  Contact/info: Dave 366 0628.
  
  

• Talk & slideshow presentation: The life and legacy of Rachel Carson.

  And informal discussion about her contribution and her ideals.
  Background info: www.rachelcarson.org.
  Presenter: Barbara Yoffee, Environmental Education specialist, Rachel Carson Council, Boys and Girls Club of America.
  When: 4.30 - 6.00 pm Tuesday, 20 Oct.
  Where: WEA, 59 Gloucester St.
  Contact/RSVP (for catering): Jocelyn Jocelyn.Paprill@ecan.govt.nz.
  Organised by: NZAEE Christchurch Branch & Barbara Yoffee.
  
  

• Lyttelton Lecture series: Lyttelton Port in times of peace & conflict.

  Speaker: Geoffrey Rice, Prof & Head of History, University of Canterbury.
  When: 7.00 - 8.00 pm Tuesday, 20 Oct.
  Where: University of Canterbury, (venue on payment).
  Cost: $10.00.
  More info/contact/register: Here.
  Sponsors: Lyttelton Port Company, ECan, CCC Creative Communities.
  
  

• AGM: Travis Wetland Trust.

  Guest speaker: Vicky Steele, Trustee, Monarch Butterfly NZ Trust, on threats to our native species & potential habitat improvement for Travis Wetland to encourage native butterflies into the area.
  When: 7.00 pm Tuesday, 20 October.
  Where: Education Centre, at the end of Beach Road.
  All welcome, supper to follow.
  Contact: info@traviswetland.org.nz
  
  

• Public talk: Beyond the frontier - William Pickering, NZ, deep space pioneer.

  An exploration of his life and work.
  Speaker: Douglas Mudgway, NZ, space historian, independent history consultant for NASA on deep space interplanetary communications. More here.
  When: 7.30 pm Tuesday, 20 October.
  Where: Lounge Bar, Dux de Lux, Arts centre.
  Organisers: IPENZ (Inst. of Professional Engineers of NZ).
  
  

• Samoa Relief concert: I love the Islands.

  Featuring: Pacific Underground, Savage, Scribe, Te Kotahitanga, A Hori Buzz, Adeaze, Anika Moa, many more...
  Host: Oscar Kightley.
  When: 7.00 pm till late Tuesday, 20 Oct.
  Where: Westpac arena, Addington.
  Cost: $25.00. (Tiketek).
  Programme/more info: www.christchurchmusic.org.nz
  
  

• Geology course: Our New Zealand landscape.

  Using examples from around NZ, this illustrated lecture course will explain the geological processes which have been, and are still, involved in forming our current landscape.
  Presenter: Alexa Cameron, lecturer (retired) in Geology, University of Canterbury.
  When: 10.30 - 12.00 pm. 5 Wednesdays. Starts 21 October.
  Cost: $24.00.
  Where: WEA, 59 Goloucester St.
  More info: www.cwea.org.nz (#10).
  Contact/register: WEA 366 0285.
  
  

• Talk series: Peace People.

  5 weekly lectures and discussion.
  First week's speaker: Will Foote, WWII conscientious objector.
  When: 1.00 - 2.30 pm Wednesdays, starts 21 October.
  Where: WEA, 59 Gloucester St.
  Cost: $20.00.
  Contact/register: CWEA, 366 0285 or see here.
  
  

• Talk: Lincoln Efford Memorial Lecture:

  Humanity's Challenge for the Future.
  Speaker: Peter Williams QC.
  When: 7.30 pm Wednesday, 21 October.
  Where: WEA, 59 Gloucester St.
  Please phone the WEA to register for this free event 366 0285.
  
  

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

  Choir: Come & join 349 others to sing a set of easy to learn songs (with an opportunity to practice before going 'live').
  When: 2.00 pm for 2.30 start,
  Where: Victoria Square (in front of Plaza Hotel) 2.00 pm, for 2.30 start, Saturday, 24 October.
  Contact: Jocelyn jyc497@gmail.com to be kept informed of arrangements.
  Also:
  

• Frocks on Bikes 350.

  When: 2.00 - 5.00 pm Saturday, 24 October.
  Where: Victoria Square.
  More info here: frocksonbikes.org & here (be there.co.nz).
  All welcome.
  
• More info see: www.350.org.nz
  Christchurch link here.
  or contact: Torfrida 382-0580 or 021-107-3937 or torfrida@snap.net.nz.

• EARTHWISE, Plains FM 96.9

  Each Monday & Wednesday at 9.00 pm.
  Conservation, environment and peace with justice.
  This week: Kennedy Graham, Green MP, discusses his International Non-Aggression Bill: The world is changing - there is growing public demand for international law to outlaw aggression. Not a utopian pipedream but an
  imperative - otherwise it's the law of the jungle.
  Presenters: Martin and Lois Griffiths.
  NB: Listen again to Earthwise programmes on archive.
  

Coming up:

• Course: Sustainable Living. (5 Sessions).
  

  Are you ready for a different future? An energy-saving, home food-growing, generally fitter and less wasteful lifestyle?
  When: 1.00 - 3.00 pm starts Thursday, 29 October.
  Where: WEA, 59 Gloucester St. (opp. City Art Galley).
  Cost: $38.00
  Contact/register: 366 0285 or see here. (#19).
  
  

• Meurky Walk: Guided botanical walk

  Around the estuary to Pleasant Pt. Park & Bexley wetlands.
  Guide: Dr Colin Meurk, Landcare Research/ Manaaki Whenua botanist.
  When: 9.00 am Saturday, 31 October.
  Where: Meet at Humphreys Drive (estuary) car park.
  Bring: Sturdy footwear, lunch, drink, all weather clothing, a few coins (for shuttle bus back to start, c2.00 pm).
  Contact: Anna-Marie Barnes 337 9593, or 0211 093534.
  
  

• 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.
  
  

• NZAEE Biennial Conference: Te Ahu Whakamua - Taking the next steps.

  When: 19 - 22 January 2010.
  Where: Hawkes Bay.
  Registrations now open.
  Much more info/contact/registrations: here. (www.nzaeeconference2010.co.nz).
  NZAEE: NZ Association for Environmental Education.
  
  

Reminders:

• 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.
  
  

• Ready? - tcktcktck