from here

Canterbury & South Island news:

Groundwater report labelled as propaganda. Says groundwater quality has "no significant relationship" with land use. Prepared for Ministry for the Environment by GNS (Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences). (22 October, The Press/Stuff).

Canterbury's worst dirty secrets revealed. (20 October, Stuff/The Press).

Rangitata River: Didymo found in the upper Rangitata. (19 October, Timaru Herald/Stuff).

Lake Coleridge seen as water answer. Irrigation and hydro. CPW & Synlait very keen. Greens say no. (22 October, Stuff/The Press).
Also:
Hydro plan strategy panned - could destroy integrity of the Canterbury Water Management strategy. (21 October, Timaru Herald/Stuff).

Heritage campaigners want urgent action to protect Christchurch's old villas. CCC no closer to implementing special protection for heritage suburbs, despite launching an investigation into house demolitions two years ago. (20 October, Stuff/The Press).

A new old village with stories to tell. (22 October, Stuff/The Press).

Firefighters prepare for a hot, dry summer. The 2009 Firefighter Challenge. (19 October, DOC).

It's the season to be cycling. CCC introduces its new cycling website www.seasonofcycling.co.nz. (21 October, CCC).

The Arts Centre's National Conservatorium of Music proposal. CCC provides additional information following discussions with the ombudsman. (21 October, CCC).

Beca Heritage Week upcoming Lytteton & Banks Peninsula events. (20 October, CCC).

ECan releases aquaculture management report. (16 October, ECan).

Queen Charlotte Sound's Long Island/Kokomohua Marine Reserve: Positive changes continue. More larger-sized blue cod, rock lobster, blue moki and paua. (19 October, DOC).

Marlborough: Nearly 1000 sites on council's contaminated list. (21 October, Marlborough Express/Stuff).

Kaikoura: Mayor wants 1080 ban. (20 October, Stuff/Marlborough Express).

Nelson: 'Toothless' Walking Access Commission under fire. (21 October, Nelson Mail/Stuff).

Nelson: $9m solar scheme launched. (20 October, Nelson Mail).

Timaru: River league tables 'to lift water quality'. Will rank 77 of the country's rivers on quality for recreational use, nutrient concentration, and biological contents. (22 October, Timaru Herald/Stuff).

Twizel, Lake Ruataniwha: Proposed temporary by-law change, (21 October, ECan).

Clutha River: Contact Energy silent on dam plans. (20 October, Otago Daily Times).

Roxborough: Otago's first wind-generated electricity likely by the end of this week. (21 October, Otago Daily Times).

Dunedin: The role of the media in the public's understanding of environmental issues - one topic at next month's NZ Media and Environment Forum. Will bring together politicians, scientists, journalists, environmental activists and academics. (21 October, Otago Daily Times).

Otago: Cycleway could again be railway. (22 October, Otago Daily Times).

Queenstown: Status as NZ's top tourist town under threat from wilding pines. (21 October, Otago Daily Times).

North Island & national:

NZ's Emissions Trading Scheme: "fiscally unsustainable, environmentally counter-productive, administratively cumbersome and economically indefensible" says Victoria University's policy studies and climate research institute. (Brian Fallow, 22 October, NZ Herald).

Alan Ware, peace campaigner, wins Alternative Nobel. (16 October, NZ Herald).

Setting rules for living on planet earth. Denise Bester, (19 October, NZ Herald).

Save the planet: eat a dog? The eco-pawprint of a pet dog is twice that of a 4.6-litre Land Cruiser driven 10,000 kilometres a year, researchers have found. (22 October, Dominion Post/Stuff).

NZ's most protected land, including national parks, already been probed by mining firms. (19 October, Stuff/The Press).
Also:
Call for review of old mining licenses. (22 October, Stuff/The Press).

Most firms ambivalent, or worse, about energy management. (19 October, Dominion Post/Stuff).

Energy efficent bulbs in 80% of homes. (21 October, NZ Herald).

Govt must restore supermarket bags levy - Greens. (22 October, NZ Herald).

Breakthrough in kwila decking supply. Certified to have been milled from legally logged forests that are replanted as they are felled. (19 October, NZ Herald).

1080 use threatened by organised opposition, says Animal Health Board chair. (19 October, Otago Daily Times).

Lincoln research: It's OK to feast on puha, watercress after 1080 drops. (22 October, NZNewsUK).

New rules for paua farmers: can get special permits to take breeding stock they need from the ocean themselves. (19 October, Southland Times/Stuff).

Wellington: Vision of a woodland waterfront. (21 October, Dominion Post/Stuff).

Martinborough: Protest growing against Meridian Energy's push for big wind farm. (21 October, Dominion Post/Stuff).

Horowhenua: Tararua Ranges classification plan could stymie windfarms. (19 October, Manawatu Standard/Stuff).

Bay of Plenty: Tasman pulp & paper mill gets 25 year pollution consent. The granting of exceptional circumstances for another 25 years "laughable". "It has been given exceptional circumstances since 1955." (16 October, NZ Herald).

Bay of Plenty: Green light for massive mussel farm: 3,800 ha. Maori trust board the victor over fisheries giant Sanford, which opposed its plans - said would affect commercial fishing. (21 October, National Business Review).

Waikato: Varroa mite may meet its match: Scientist has turned a common fungus into a super weapon. Could turn the tide against mite that has devastated the bee industry. (20 October, Waikato Times/Stuff).

Hamilton: More than half of planned cycle and walkways scrapped or put on hold. (21 October, Waikato Times/Stuff).

Waipoua Kauri Forest touted as national park - could become Northland's first officially recognised national park. (19 October, Northern Advocate).

Sirrocco the kakapo hits the million. (21 October, DOC).

Re-linked awards, submissions, consultations etc:

• Meet The Locals: education resources available free to NZ classrooms - teaching tools for our natural heritage. Set of DVDs & PDFs in 16 episodes across 4 subjects to suit curriculum for Years 7 - 9, appropriate for younger levels too. Many feature NZ children helping protect native wildlife. John Key introduces the series.
  Teachers register at http://tvnz.co.nz/meetthelocals (click 'Meet The Locals Education Resource' tile). Registrations close 5.00 pm Friday, 30 October, DVDs sent out mid-November. The accompanying PDF resources available for download from TVNZ6 site mid November. Topics included are NZ Biology - Reptiles and Insects; NZ Biology - Birds; NZ History; and NZ Geography. Each episode is under 5 minutes, so can easily slot into any lesson plan. Series host, Nic Vallance, and DOC. Funded by TVNZ6.
  
  
• Exhibition at Our City/Otautahi: Never be afraid - a NZ soldier writes to his niece from a POW camp. One of CCC's projects in 2009 Beca Heritage Week: Discover Christchurch in peace and conflict.
  
  
• 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).
  
  
• Last days!: Exhibition (multi-media): "Greater Christchurch - there is a plan, we're on our way".  Showcases 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. (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.
  
  
• 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 135,000 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).
  
  
• Last week! 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). NB: Fonterra not eligible for nomination: only foreign-owned companies are.

& from there

• EU: Europe offers to cut emissions 95% by 2050 if deal reached at Copenhagen. (21 October, The Guardian).
  
  
• India, China climate change deal. Will co-operate on technology development and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. (21 October, BBC).
  
  
• UK: The Big Question: Is an agreement on climate change still on the cards? Michael McCarthy, (20 October, The Independent).
  
  
• US: Bill Mckibben: Politicians have failed to stave off climate change, now it's up to us. (17 October, Alternet).
  
  
• US: Justice, justice shall you pursue: World Food Day and the problem of equity. Sharon Astyk. (19 October, Energy Bulletin).
  Also:
  Australia: Can we grow more food in 50 years than in all of history? Population and global warming make the job hard. (5 October, abc News).
  Also:
  US: On World Food Day: Crunching the numbers. (15 October, CommonDreams.org). (Strong US emphasis but interesting list of facts & figures).
  
  
• Fiji: Scientist: Start planning for Pacific warming refugees. (18 October, Yahoo! News).
  
  
• Ireland: Reflections from Colin Campbell on Peak Oil and ASPO. (Association for the Study of Peak Oil). (19 October, Energy Bulletin). (Campbell, a now retired oil company analyst and executive, is credited with having coined the term Peak Oil).
  
  
• US: Four of the year's most important environment stories you've probably never read. (19 October, planet green).
  
  
• UK/India: UK Govt blasts Vedanta, British (bauxite) mining company, in unprecedented attack - ‘did not respect the rights of the Dongria Kondh’; ‘did not consider the impact of the construction of the mine on the [tribe’s] rights’; and ‘failed to put in place an adequate and timely consultation mechanism’. The proposed mine site is sacred to all Kondh people, hundreds of whom have been engaged in months of protests and blockades. (Includes 11 min. film narrated by Joanna Plumley). (12 October, Survival).
  
  
• Germany: 'Darwinian medicine' in focus at World Health summit. (c 20 October, Google News).
  
  
• Japan: Panasonic leads way in recycling treasure hunt. Beck Vass, (19 October, NZ Herald).
  
  
• UK: The world's worst cycle lanes. (21 October, The Guardian).
  
  
• UK: 800,000 school pupils to grow their own by 2011. (October, Food for Life).
  
  
Technology:

• China: The greeen tower of Guangzhou city: 71-storey tower block which, according to its designers, will be the most energy-efficient in the world. (21 October, BBC).
  
  
• Germany wins solar decathlon. Home which produces more than twice the energy it uses. (16 October, ecoGeek).
  
  
• US: Is the airpod the future? - small size, tiny price, zero pollution, fun and futuristic design... (21 October, Treehugger).
  
  
• Australia: Solar powered and fuel efficient cars in 3000 km Australian race challenge. (21 October, The Independent).
  
  Natural world:
  
• Africa: Two million years - earliest evidence of humans thriving on the savannah. (21 October, New Scientist).
  
  
• Australia: Turtles prefer the city life. (21 October, BBC).
  
  
• Norway: 'Mummified' pine trees found - dead for nearly 500 years yet without decomposition. (18 October, Science Daily).
  
  
• Leaping wolf snatches photo prize. Veolia Environment Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2009 award. (21 October, BBC).
  
  
  
  
  

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

• Climate change limbo party:

  Help make up the numbers - 350 people doing the limbo to funky music.
  When: 12.15 - 12.50 pm Friday, 23 Oct.
  Where: Outside Unlimited Paenga Tawhiti school, City Mall.
  
  

• 350 CLIMATE ACTION FESTIVAL: Saturday, 24 October.

  2000 actions in 150 countries.
  
• Southshore Spit replanting, 10.00 am. Meet end of Rockinghorse Rd.
  
• New Brighton Pier, 12.00 noon. Stand behind huge banner & be part of thousands of international photos being sent to the UN.
  

  Victoria Square, 2.00 - 5.00 pm:

• Frocks on Bikes launch & mass bike in, 2.00 - 5.00 pm .
  More info here: frocksonbikes.org & here (be there.co.nz).
• Massed choir: Join massed sing along in a set of easy to learn songs. 2.00 pm for 2.30 start, (in front of Plaza Hotel).
  
• Cycle fashion parade - enter on the day. 3.15 pm.
  
• Help form 350 human sculpture to be filmed. 4.00 pm. ( Christchurch has been chosen to make a 3, matching the 5 in New Delhi and 0 in Copenhagen).
  4.15 - 5.00 pm Local leaders speak on climate action. Local MPs and councillors will join the public in making pledges to reduce their carbon footprint by 10% during 2010 and also speak their message for Copenhagen.

  Cathedral Square, 3.00 - 3.50 pm.

• Silent multi-faith meditation/vigil outside cathedral while bells toll 350 times.
  
  More info on Climate Action festival: www.350.org.nz
  Christchurch link here.
  or contact: Torfrida 382-0580, or 021-107-3937 or torfrida@snap.net.nz.
  
  

• Talk: The ecological restoration of Otamahua Quail Island.

  (Lyttelton lecture series).
  Speakers: Colin Meurk (Manaaki Whenua Landcare), Mike Bowie (Lincoln University).
  When: 7.00 - 8.30 pm Tuesday, 27 Oct.
  Where: Venue on registration. (University of Canterbury).
  Cost: $10.00.
  More info/contact/register: 364 2470 or 364 2987 ext. 4870.
  More info: here.
  Sponsored by Lyttelton Port Company, ECAN, and CCC Creative Communities.
  
  

• Talk series: Peace People.

  5 weekly lectures and discussion.
  This week: UN Disarmament Week: Christchurch Peacemakers influence the UN. Speaker: Kate Dewes, member of UN Secretary General's Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters.
  When: 1.00 - 2.30 pm Wednesday, 28 October.
  Where: WEA, 59 Gloucester St.
  Cost: $4.00.
  Contact/register: CWEA, 366 0285 or see here.
  
  

• Talk: The geographical position of Iran in the Middle East, West Asia and Central Asia:

  Economic opportunities for New Zealand.
  Speaker: Ali Baghar Nemati Zargaran, First Secretary in the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
  When: 5.00 - 6.30 pm Wednesday, 28 Oct.
  Where: Rm 208, Macmillan Brown Centre, Te Ao Marama Building, University of Canterbury. (map here).
  More info/contact: here. (University of Canterbury).
  
  

• 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.
  
  

• Forest & Bird weekend field trip.

  Choice between an easy trip & one requiring fitness.
  Where: St James Station, (towards Lewis Pass).
  When: Saturday, 31 October & Sunday, 1 November. (Friday night accommodation available at Forest Camp, Hamner Springs).
  More info/contact: Lesley 379 0316, or Andrew ajsimpsonz@hotmail.com.
  
  

• Work day: Quail Island Restoration Trust.

  When: Sunday, 1 November.
  (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
  
  

• EARTHWISE, Plains FM 96.9

  Each Monday & Wednesday at 9.00 pm.
  Conservation, environment and peace with justice.
  This week: Stefan Browning, Soil and Health, talking about bees. Our agriculture depends on them, yet around the world bees are
  in trouble. 
  Presenters: Martin and Lois Griffiths.
  NB: Listen again to Earthwise programmes on archive.
  

Coming up:

• Course: Local government democracy.

  Three weekly sessions. More here (item 6).
  When: 7.00 - 8.30 pm Wednesdays, starting 3 November.
  Where: WEA, 59 Gloucester St.
  Cost: $14.00.
  
  

• Talk: The ideal of the rule of law:

  The unifying feature of all just civil societies and the ultimate principle of legality.
  Speaker: Philip Joseph, Professor of Law, University of Canterbury.
  When: 6.00 - 7.00 pm Tuesday, 3 Nov.
  Where:
  (Part of 2009 UC in the City lecture series).
  
  

• New Plymouth event: 7th New Zealand Cycling Conference:

  Communities, Connections & the Economy.
  When: Thursday 12 & Friday 13 November. Where: TSB Showplace, New Plymouth.
  More info/register: here. (cyclingconf.org.nz).
  Organisers: NZ Cycling Conference and CANDo.
  
  

• 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.
  
  

• Help Aorangi School: Appeal the decision to close it down.

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