Welcome

Hi & welcome to the webpage version of ecoNet.

Don't forget: keep sending us info for promoting your environmental events and causes. Also to pass on news of ecoNet Newsletter and our subscription address: eventdiary@environment.org.nz to others you think may find it interesting/useful.

Here's another selection of news and articles and bits and pieces of interest from around and about, and here and there, eg:

from here

Last meetings!: Canterbury's water: have your say on the future direction of Canterbury's water-use management. A Canterbury wide series of meetings. (See diary of events). Further info and/or to register as rep for your community group: http://www.canterburywater.org.nz/       

Engineer to let lip: What part of finite don't you understand? Talk and discussion on climate change and the move from fossil fuels.
Speaker Gerry Coates, electrical engineer, founder of Engineers for Social Responsibility (ESR), past president of IPENZ (Institution of Professional Engineers of NZ) and currently managing director of Wise Analysis Limited, Wellington. At the University of Canterbury's School of Engineering next Thursday. (see diary of events).

Bike trailer - free trial: See how fun and easy it is to carry loads without a car: groceries, ladders, fruit, kayaks, windsurfers, kite surfers, library books, bikes, billboards, musical instruments, pets, garage sale treasures, pinecones, firewood, ... Try out a bike trailer (it takes two re-cycle crates) for a month for free.
Needs to be picked up and dropped off in Central Christchurch.
Interested? Contact Steven Muir: thepope@cyclingchurch.org.nz or 03 365 8238.

No, not thievery: Two Dunedinites' talk on car conversion at Polytech Saturday week is for those wanting to know how to 'electrify' a car.
They converted a Ford Courier Ute to battery power for around-town running and will present a practical guide that includes choosing the donor car, parts supplies and other essential features of an EV. (see diary of events).

Public asked for views on Sumner beach parks (5 August, CCC).

Christchurch South-west Area Plan consultation to start soon. (7 August, CCC).

Tekapo Regional Park - incorporated society planned. (4 August, ECan).

Navigating tough decisions in a resource-constrained world. Mathis Wackernagel in Christchurch. (co-originator of the idea of ecological footprint). A synopsis of his recent talk here (John Peet, api.ning.com).

Councils told to plan for sea level rises. (30 July, Stuff).

Scrap metal thieves target state houses. (6 August, Otago Daily Times).

Didymo: Anglers' felt soles may get the boot from Fish & Game. (29 July, Timaru Herald/Stuff).

Untouched natural forests store three times more carbon dioxide than previously estimated and 60 percent more than plantation forests. (4 August, Red Orbit).

Tourism businesses told to turn green or risk being left behind. (7 August, Dominion Post).

NZ's largest family dairying business cops fourth conviction for illegal dairy discharges. (4 August, Dominion Post).

Planned tallow biofuel plant scrapped. (7 August, NZ Herald).

Chathams Rise phosphate attracts mining firms. (NB: 'peak' phosphate achieved in the 1970s). (29 July, NZ Herald).

Canterbury organic course starts in October. (August, Organic Pathways).

Permaculture - beyond organics. Ingrid Weihmann, from Timaru's Only Natural, reflects on attending an East Coast Permaculture design course. (August, Organic Pathways).

New marine reserve established on Wellington's south coast. (31 July, National Business Review).

Auckland: new reserve to preserve some of the last examples of gardening techniques used by pre-European Maori. (28 July, NZ Herald).

West Auckland: Rainwater making a comeback. (21 July, sustainability.govt.nz)

Auckland: John Key's "Dead end street" comes to life. (6 August, NZ Herald).

Tongariro River banded whio (blue duck) has local DOC excited. (29 July, DOC).

Karori sanctuary wins 'Conservation in Action' award. (6 August, DOC).

Te Papa's colossal squid on the move.  (6 August, Stuff).  

Ruby the Auckland Islands sea-lion moves in to Kettle Park, St Kilda. (29 July, Otago Daily Times).

http://www.noplasticbags.org.nz/ is a new national campaign for a plastic bag free New Zealand. The core idea is that a large group of individuals each contributing small amounts of time can have a very big impact.
“Anyone can make a difference in just 15 minutes by joining us at http://noplasticbags.ning.com/ and sharing their ideas. With the twin threats of climate change and peak oil there is a lot of change coming and we believe we can help increase the capacity of our society to meet it by tackling the achievable goals now. See more of our reasoning at my blog post http://www.joshuavial.com/steps-to-increase-our-capacity-for-change.” - From Joshua Vial.

Did you take a look? - CCC has a new site called Sustainable Christchurch.

War on waste; less is best - Tip the Balance: an interactive educational resource aimed at schools and their communities developed by ECan on behalf of the Canterbury Waste Joint Committee.

Wanted: Waste Advisory Board nominations. Before 7 September. (Ministry for the Environment).


Competition for young people (under 20): Make a 5 minute film about sustainability. Entry deadline 19 September.

Re-linked awards, submissions, consultations etc:

• Online entries for The Vodafone New Zealand Foundation's World of Difference 2009 programme. Closes 15 August 2008. For more information click here.

• Outdoor recreation: discussion document launched. Contribute before 29 August. (Beehive, 2 July)
  
  
• Canterbury Resource Management Awards 2008: Close Friday, 15 August. info here
  

• open now: ECan tree planting, fencing, biodiversity fund  
  Landowners or groups working to protect and enhance native biodiversity in Canterbury have until the end of August to apply for contestable grants of up to $5,000 through Environment Canterbury’s Environment Enhancement Fund: more here (Applications close end of August).
  

• DOC Canterbury: Conservation Management Strategy review
  The Department of Conservation’s Canterbury Conservancy wants your help to develop the direction of its conservation work over the next 10 years. To find out more and to contribute: click here

& from there

• UK: Prepare for global temperature rise of 4 degrees - top Brit scientist. (7 August, the Guardian).
  
  
• UK: The stakes could not be higher: Everything hinges on stopping coal. (George Monbiot. 7 August, the Guardian).
  
  
• Effects of climate change on Tuvalu. (4 August, TVNZ).
  
  
• US: Stinging tentacles: explosion of jellyfish populations. (3 August, New York Times).
  
  
• Australia: Who is behind climate change deniers? (2 August, WA today.com.au).
  
  
• UK: Deep Green: Peak oil changes everything. ( 4 August, Greenpeace, UK).
  
  
• Australia: Cotton farm bought to help save Murray-Darling wetlands. (7 August, SMH).
  
  
• UK: Organic food the latest casualty of the credit crunch. (4 August, The Independent).
  
  
• US: Slow Food Nation gains momentum. (5 August, Energy Bulletin).
  
  
• US: Two wheels better...Cycling back to the future. (2 August, Washington Post).
  
  
• US: Gas prices apply brakes to suburban migration. (5 August, Washington Post).
  
  
• UK: Giant kites to tap power of high wind. (3 August, the Guardian).
  
  
• US: Grow your own. (8 August, New York Times).
  
  
• Montivideo: the climate costs of a glass of milk. (1 August, IPS News).
  
  
• UK: the medieval marvel: 14th century Hungarian stove cuts gas bill to 5 quid a month. (5 August, Daily Mail).
  
  
• US: New numbers add up to rare hope for rarer gorillas. (5 August, Chicago Tribune).
  
  
• UK: pedestrians the great menace to cyclists? (7 August, The Independent).
  
  
• Attenborough alarmed as children flummexed by test on natural world.(1 August, The Independent).
  
  
• Dandelion rubber could be inexpensive, high quality alternative to tree rubber. (7 August, Treehugger).

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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?

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Disclaimer: whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of details, NZAEE - Christchurch Branch accepts no responsibility for errors or omissions. Opinions printed herein are not those of NZAEE - Christchurch Branch.

 

• Free for a month: Bike trailer.

  Contact: Steven Muir
  Email: thepope@cyclingchurch.org.nz
  Ph. 03 365 8238
  (see under News and Links)
  
  

• Forest and Bird: special planting day Otamahua/Quail Island.

  When: 9 August.
  Bookings necessary.
  (See under Reminders below).
  
  

• Pruning demonstration: climbers, trees, shrubs.

  When: 9.30 am Saturday, 9 August.
  Where: Mona Vale Gardens, Fendalton Road.
  Organised by: Canterbury Horticultural Society.
  All welcome. Free.
  
  

• Lantern Ceremony:

  to commemorate Nagasaki & Hiroshima.
  When: 5.30 pm  Saturday, 9 August.
  Where: Victoria Square.
  
  

• Event: 4th annual mid-winterTraditional Barn Dance

  Music: Bantom of the Opera.
  When: 7.30 - 11.30 pm Saturday, 9 August. Where: Springston South hall.
  Cost: $15 (under 16 free) & bring a cup, choice of drink, plate of finger food.
  Info & tickets: Robyn 329 5725.
  
  

• Organic gardening workshop:

  Hands on tree planting, fruit tree and berry bush pruning, making and using biodynamic tree
  paste.
  Tutors: Holger Kahl,  Mareile Stoppel.
  When: 10 am – 4.00 pm Sunday, 10 Aug.
  Where: Purau, Lyttelton Harbour.
  Bring: lunch & afternoon tea to share, gumboots & secateurs.
  Info, cost & registration: Holger 03 329 3299, Mareile 03 329 4798 or kahl.stoppel@xtra.co.nz.
  
  

• Cocktail Evening: 2008 Sustainable Business Network Awards:

  When: 6.00 – 8.30 pm Wednesday, 20 August.
  Where: Southern Encounter Aquarium and Kiwi House, Cathedral Square.
  Tickets $30.
  RSVP: by 10 August to Carolyn: southern@sustainable.org.nz or 03 943 2022.
  more info: Sustainable Business Network
  
  

• TV3: What's really in our food?: Bread and butter.

  Which bread is best, the GI index etc.
  (third of three 30 min. programmes).
  When: 8.00 pm Tuesday, 12 August.
  
  

• Talk: ANZEA : what makes an effective evaluation practitioner?

  Speaker: Pam Oliver.
  When: 4.00 – 6.00 pm Tuesday, 12 August.
  Where: Conference Room 3, Community House, 141 Hereford Street.
  Cost: $10 anzea members, $20 non-members.
  RSVP: libpaul@globe.net.nz or 027 3142422.

  
  

• Canterbury Water Management Strategy:

  Locality-based meetings on the uses and benefits of water.
  When: See below…
  Darfield Fairlie: Tuesday, 12 August.
  Christchurch: Wednesday, 13 August.
  Registration required.
  Venue: notified on registration.
  All meetings: 5.30 pm – 8.00 pm.
  Coffee, tea, orange juice, finger food at 5.30pm
  More info: here
  
  

• TALK: Sustainability and climate change:
  

  We need to quickly change to a low carbon renewable economy. But how?  
  Speaker: Tony Moore, Principle Advisor on Sustainability, CCC.
  When: 7.30 pm Wednesday, 13 August.
  Where: WEA, 59 Gloucester Street.
  Organised by Forest & Bird Society.
  
  
  

• Two Free Home Composting Workshops: (Bokashi, Hot Compost, and Worm Farms).

  Where: (1): Opawa Community Gardens, 176 Opawa Rd (at Aynsley Terrace).
  When: 1.00 pm 16, 19 August. (1st & 3rd Saturday each month & 1st & 3rd Tuesday).
  
  (2): Okeover Community Gardens, University of Canterbury.
  When: 12.00 - 1:30 pm, 9, 23 August. (2nd & 4th Saturday each month, 2nd & 4th Wednesday).
  How: Just turn up.
  More info: Annmarie Banchy 021 190 4559, or 942 7190 (evening), abanchy@paradise.net.nz.
  Sponsored by CCC.
  
  

• Talk: What part of finite don't you understand?

  Speaker: Gerry Coates.
  When: 7.30 pm Thursday, 14 August.
  Where: Lecture room E1, School of Engineering, University of Canterbury. (Entry from Science car park, not from Creyke Rd).
  Sponsors: Engineers for Social Responsibility (ESR), & IPENZ, Canterbury Branch.
  All welcome.
  (see also under News and Links).

• Youth Voices: Sharing stories of an education for sustainability camp – the Tiromoana experience.

  When: 10.45 - 12.00 pm Friday, 15 August.
  Where: Our City-Otautahi, corner Worcester Boulevard & Oxford Tce.
  more info: Tiromoana.wiki

• Talk: Practical guide to electric car conversion:

  When: 1.00 pm Saturday, 16 August.
  Where: D Lecture Theatre, DL Block, Christchurch Polytech (CPIT), Madras St
  Free. All welcome, but (limited seating) need to book: christchurchev@gmail.com
  Sponsored by Sustainable Otautahi Christchurch (SOC).
  (see also under News and Links).
  
  

• Event: Vegetarian dinner at the Buddhist Temple.

  (fundraiser for Christchurch Vegetarian Centre).
  Where: International Buddhist Association, corner Harakeke St, Riccarton Rd.
  When:  7.00 pm Saturday, 16 August.
  Tickets: $25.
  Contact: Monica 021 026 23946 or info@vegetarianchristchurch.org.nz
  
  

• Gig: Save Happy Valley Coalition benefit: dancehall, roots/ska, hiphop and downbeats.

  Featuring: MZA, Mr Chris Stone, Red Dan.
  When: 6.00 pm Sunday, 17 August.
  Where:  Dux De Lux lounge bar,
  Tickets: $10 at the door.
  
  

• Nelson Ecofest Expo.

  When: 16 – 17  August.
  Where: Trafalgar Square, Nelson.
  more info here.
  
  

• EARTHWISE, Plains FM 96.9

  Each Monday & Wednesday at 10 pm.
  Conservation, environment and peace with justice.
  This week's interview:The situation in North Korea today.
  Rev. Don Borrie, one of the editors of Pyongyang Report, News and Views on DPRK, North Korea.
  Presenters: Martin and Lois Griffiths.
  
  

Coming up:

• Public meeting: Eels.

  Speakers: MP Metiria Turei, Clem Smith - lake fisherman, Don Jellyman - NIWA scientist.
  Also showing: the short film “Longfin”.
  When: 7.30 pm Monday, 18 August.
  Where: Prebbleton Hall, 617 Springs Rd.
  Sponsor: Waihora Ellesmere Trust.
  

• Event: Zero Waste & Zero Carbon Conference

  When: 20-22 August 2008.
  Where:  Hotel Ashburton, Racecourse Road, Ashburton
  More info: Event Coordinators, Diane & Tony Dawson 03 3026 791, or 0211 748 578
  email: a.dawson@xtra.co.nz
  
  

• Opening Day: Lincoln Community Gardens:

  Grand opener: Selwyn Mayor Kelvin Coe.
  Guest speaker: Prof Steve Wratten.
  Competitions, prizes, Lincoln High Jazz Band…
  When: 2.00 pm Sunday, 24 August.
  Where: Lincoln Community Centre.
  Contact and info: Cello 325 2156.

• Lincoln University's annual state of the nation's environment address.

  When: Thursday, 28 August.
  
  

• Biofuels forum: Biofuels: the future or folly?

  (NZ Inst. of Ag & Hort. Science, Canterbury Section).
  When: 8.30 - 12.30 Wednesday, 27 August.
  Where: Lincoln University.
  
  

• Nga Kete a Rehua: Inaugural Maori Research Symposium - Te Waipounamu:

  When: 4 - 5 September.
  Where: University of Canterbury.
  more info here.
  
  

• International Parks and Recreation Congress: Making Connections - Make a Difference!  

  When: 15 - 18 September 2008.
  Where: Christchurch Convention Centre.
  Registration & info at http://www.ifpra2008.com/Contact: Diana Sexton 941 6628 or diana.saxton@ccc.govt.nz
  Hosts: NZ Recreation Assn. & CCC.