Welcome

to ecoNet Newsletter.

Keep sending us info for promoting your environmental events and causes. And 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 a further selection of news and articles and bits and pieces of interest from around and about, and here and there, eg:

from here

Update: Canterbury groundwater, rainfall and river levels: much improved after heavy July, August weather. (5 September, ECan).

New Rakahuri/Ashley River regional park proposed. (11 September, ECan).

Active Christchurch walks celebrates ten years. (8 September, CCC).

Savouring a sensory experience at QEII's The Southern Centre (11 September, CCC).

Anti-music at the Art Gallery: The Donkey's Tale (11 september, CCC).

Ashburton: Town stopbank completed - early. Designed for 200 year flood. (10 September, ECan).

Nelson man wins Loder Cup - New Zealand’s premier conservation award. (10 September, Beehive).

MacKenzie District: More on plan change 13: Meridian Energy wants District Council to recognise significance of hydro. (10 September, Timaru Herald).

Taser decision unprincipled and dangerous (29 August, CAFCA). made without adequate information, says Amnesty International. (28 August, AIANZ).

Gordon Campbell interviews Robert Fisk (10 September, Scoop).

New Fuel Consumption Information Rule: light vehicles importers required to provide accurate, reliable fuel consumption information. (4 September, Beehive).

Historic climate change legislation passes. (10 September, Beehive). Comment: Bill makes polluters pay. And: Nats need to get the picture fast. (9 September, NZ Herald).

Wanganui: Category 1 historic building demolished for car parking. (10 September, Historic Places Trust).

Taputerangi: Capital's new marine reserve. (7 September, DOC).

Make Waitakere Ranges a national park? Nats clarify. (9 September, NZ Herald).

Nats re-release green policies. (8 September, NZ Herald).

Tourist survey: Kiwis are litterbugs. (8 September, NZ Herald).

Wanted for renovation project: 1000 homeowners who want their homes warmer, drier, more sustainable. (9 September, Sustainability.govt.nz).

Auckland Harbour bridge: ARC supports cycling, walking. (10 September, ARC). (Last week's ecoNet: Auckland City transport committee: cycle, pedestrian lanes binned).

Waikato report: soil and water health: many serious issues - eg, water may be unsafe for stock to drink in 75 per cent of monitored waterways. (10 September, Environment Waikato).

Climate: Warming brews forces to be reckoned with. (6 September, NZ Herald).

Oz Environment Minister Peter Garrett and DOC Minister Chadwick get close on trans-Tasman conservation. (9 September, DOC). Also: working together for whales. (10 september, Beehive).

Auckland: Palm-oil battler and frog expert win zoo accolades. (11 September, NZ Herald).

Kiwi's Gondwana ancestors could fly. (6 September, NZ Herald).

Record year for tagging white sharks. (8 September, NIWA).

Weaving plants - biology, distribution, propagation. (Manaaki Whenua/Landscare Research).

Triclosan and a non-toxic classroom. (blog on alternative cleaners for children friendly environments). (cleanandgreenmom.org)

Conservation Week 2008: DOC fact sheets and education resources.

Re-linked awards, submissions, consultations etc:

• Greenpeace: red fish list. (greenpeace.org).
  
  
• Forest & Bird: Ministry of Fisheries in denial over shark finning. (4 September, Forest & Bird). Vast majority of Kiwis opposed. To sign the shark finning pledge, go to http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/.
  
  
• Canterbury organic course starts in October. (August, Organic Pathways). More here: www.bhu.co.nz..
  
  
• Submissions wanted for National Environmental Standard for onsite waste-water disposal systems (eg septic tanks). By 5 pm Friday, 26 September. (Ministry for the Environment).
  
  

• A voice for Kiwi cyclists: Cycling Advocates' Network: CAN's 9-point plan for cycling safety. (Sign the petition).
  

• Govt wants your input: for National Policy Statement on Urban Design. Before Tuesday, 30 September. (Ministry for the Environment).
  
  
• Competition for young people (under 20): Make a 5 minute film about sustainability. Entry deadline 19 September.

• Nominations (till end of October) for this year's Roger Award:
  Organised by CAFCA. info here.   Also from CAFCA: NZ & Foreign Control - Key facts.
  
  
  

& from there

• US: NASA Study illustrates how global Peak Oil could impact climate: feasible emission scenarios to keep carbon dioxide below levels some scientists have called dangerous for climate. Crucial: phase out coal. (10 September, Goddard Space Flight Centre, NASA).
  
  
• UK: Jury decides threat of global warming justifies breaking the law. (11 September, The Independent).
  
  
• US: Report predicts steady decline in U.S. dominance... as world reshaped by globalization, battered by climate change, and destabilized by regional upheavals over shortages of food, water and energy. (10 September, Washington Post).
  
  
• US: Is California on the brink of environmetal collapse? (4 September, AlterNet)
  
  
• Australia: Shame on you, generation excess: ... Australian baby boomers among the most privileged human beings to have walked on planet earth...(6 September, Sydney Morning Herald).
  
  
• US blog: Just a phase...human societies are not immune to the expansions and contractions which apply to other creatures. (6 September, Kurt Cobb, Resource Insights).
  
  
• US: Hot, flat and crowded: New York Times columnist and author Thomas Friedman. We need an energy revolution. (with short video clip/interview).(8 September, Gristmill).
  
  
• Communities plan for a low energy future. ‘Transition initiatives,’ begun in Britain, aim to empower people to tackle effects of climate change and decline of oil. (11 September, Christian Science Monitor).
  
  
• UK: A peak into the future: the Transition Town movement. (10 September, The Guardian).
  
  
• Australia: Energy descent action plan primer. Recommended. (November 2007, Eat the Suburbs).
  
  
• What role for schools in preparing for peak oil? (2 September, Post Carbon Cities).
  
  
• The business of water - an emerging strategic headache. (Emagazine.com).
  
  
• Evil: it's the new good! - and the devil just has lousy PR. Mark Morford. (10 September, SFGate/ San Francisco Chronicle).
  
  
• UK: Electronic smog 'is disrupting nature on a massive scale'. (7 September, The Independent).
  
  
• UK: As supermarkets are accused of above-inflation price hikes, shoppers flock to downmarket rivals. (10 September, The Telegraph).
  
  
• UK: Food should label 'eco-costs'. (BBC News, 8 September).
  
  
• Raising vegetables under Canada's midnight sun. (4 September, Reuters).
  
  
• UK: How good an eco-driver are you? (10 September, The Guardian).
  
  
• Australia: Urban Surprise: More bicyclists means fewer accidents. (5 September, Live Science).
  
  
• UN: seeks World Heritage status for Iraqi marshes. (5 September, Reuters).
  
  
• In April 2007 a French train set a new world speed record reaching the amazing speed of 357 mph on conventional rails. (video c 10 mins, urbandesign.org).
  
  

• Floating Homes Made From Coffee Cups with Green Walls (11 September, Treehugger).
  

• Five weird wind turbines. While the traditional tri-blade has its advantages, there are those who would see it replaced. (7 September, EcoGeek).
  

• Pickens Plan: eg, the story of one small town saved by the arrival of a major wind project. (Infomercial for a turbined landscape. Interesting tho). T Boone Pickens, Texas oil billionaire, wants energy independence for US. Says US is the Saudi Arabia for wind power. (5 min video clip from pickensplan.org).
  
  
• US: The case of vanishing oaks. (6 September, Science Now).
  
  
• Australia: WWII wrecks: Micronesia's ecological time bombs. (6 September, ABC).
  
  
• Images of oil spills from around the world. (9 September, the Good Human).
  
  
• Hell for Leather: the toxic trade in leather from Bangladesh to the EU - and me & you? (Approx. 7 minute video, debut of the Ecologist Film Unit). (3 June, The Ecologist).

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• LEARNZ: four virtual field trips for schools

  (to highlight Conservation Week).
  Background info here: http://www.learnz.org.nz/).
  
  

• Free Composting Workshops:

  When: 10.00 - 12.00 pm Saturday 13, Saturday 20 September.
  Where: Strickland Street Community Gardens
  188 Strickland St, Spreydon.
  Join the ‘waste aware’ group.
  Free Home Composting Advisory Service available to local residents.
  
  

• Tutakitia te iwi kainga/Conservation Week.

  When: 7 - 14 September.
  Canterbury region events.(also see below).
  National events.
  Sponsor: Department of Conservation.
  
  

• Twizel:  meet the locals: kakī/black stilts.

  Also: DVDs about kakī/black stilt & other locals.
  When: 2.00 pm Saturday, 13 September.
  Where: the DOC kaki hide near Twizel.
  Meet: kakī/black stilt hide visitor car park. (Sth of Twizel, off the road to the Iron Bridge and Meridian Energy)
  More info: Ursula Paul, DOC Twizel Area Office, 03 435 0802, upaul@doc.govt.nz
  Sponsor: Department of Conservation.
  

• Bird watching tour: endangered birds of the Ashley River; ecology of braided rivers.

  Guides: Ashley-Rakahuri Rivercare Group Inc.
  When: 1.30 - 4.00 pm Sunday, 14 Sept.
  Meet: picnic area by Ashley – Loburn Bridge.
  Take: binoculars, sturdy footwear, children. Dogs OK iff under control.
  Contact: Sarah Ensor 03 313 0820; sensor@doc.govt.nz
  Sponsor: Department of Conservation.
  
  

• Green Footprint Planting Day:

  When: 10:00 a.m Saturday, 13 September.
  Where: Chamberlains Ford.
  (Meet at Chamberlains Ford car park, Springston-Leeston Road, north side of bridge).
  Bring: tree-planting spade, boots, drink bottle.
  Sausage sizzle afterwards.
  More info: WET office: 353 9712.
  (Joint project of Youth Hostel Association (YHA), Waihora Ellesmere Trust (WET) and Selwyn District Council).  
  
  

• Organic gardening workshop: Planning the Spring garden, propagation & fence weaving.

  Tutors: Holger Kahl and Mareile Stoppel.
  When: 10.00 am - 4.00 pm Saturday, 13 September.
  Where: Port Levy Rd, Purau.
  Info and registration: Holger 03 329 3299 or Mareile 03 3294 798.
  
  

• Earthdance: global festival for peace.

  Bands include: Rare Shot Blue, Kowhai, Locean & Orkid.
  When: 1.00 - 5.00 pm Sun, 14 September.
  Where: Thompson Park, Marine Parade, New Brighton.
  Weather dicey: check RDU website or listen RDU 98.5FM
  info: http://www.massivenz.com/, http://www.earthdance.org/.
  
  

• AGM: CAFCA (Campaign Against Foreign Control of Aotearoa).

  Followed by: screening of Nicky Hager interview. (Special feature from Alister Barry’s DVD: The Hollow Men).
  When: 7.30 pm Monday, 15 September.
  Where: WEA, 59 Gloucester Street.
  
  

• Talk: Food.

  Speaker: Green Party Co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimmons.
  When: 7.30 – 9.00 pm Tuesday, 16 September.
  Where: St Marks Methodist Church Hall, Cnr Barrington & Somerfield Sts.
  

• Talk: How is a sceptic to live?

  Speaker: Tim Oakley, visiting Erskine Fellow, La Trobe University.
  When: 4.10 – 6.00 pm Wednesday, 17 September.
  Where: Rm 612, School of Philosophy & Religious Studies, University of Canterbury. (map here).
  Contact: simon.clarke@canterbury.ac.nz or
  ph 364 2922 ext. 6389.
  More info and abstract here.
  

• NZ Foreign Policy - Party views: Green Party

  Speaker: MP Keith Locke. (Final talk of three).
  When: 5.30 - 7.00 pm Wednesday, 17 September.
  Where: Lecture Room 108, Law School building, University of Canterbury. (Map here: L).
  Contact: Stuart McMillan 332 2804
  Sponsor: NZ Inst of International Affairs.
  
  

• University of Canterbury & WEA combined election year lecture series: This week's talks:

  Tuesday, 16 September: Education: what difference would a change in Government make?
  Dr David Small.
  Thursday, 18 September: Proposal for a democracy centre.
  Tim Barnett, MP for Christchurch Central.
  Times: WEA 1.30 - 3.00 pm, UC: 7.00 - 8.30 pm.
  Cost: $5.00.
  Registration: WEA 366 0285, & UC at
  UC Opportunity 3642470.
  
  

• Documentary: The Power of Community: How Cuba survived peak oil (DVD).

  When: 7.30 pm Thursday, 18 September.
  Where: St Albans Community Centre, 1047 Colombo St.
  

• EARTHWISE, Plains FM 96.9

  Each Monday & Wednesday at 10 pm.
  Conservation, environment and peace with justice.
  This week's interview: Robert Fisk: What chance for justice in the Middle East? Does 
  the West really want democracy for Muslim countries? How and why Western media report the way they do (including for fear of charges of
  anti-Semitism).
  Presenters: Martin and Lois Griffiths.
  

Coming up:

• Event: Carbon Crusaders: running/walking & planting at Bottle Lake Forest Park and Travis Wetlands.

  more info here.
  When: 20 September.
  
  

• Travis Wetland Trust & CCC community planting day: matai-totara forest in the wetland.

  When: 10.00 am – 12.00 pm Saturday, 20 September.
  Where: meet at Beach Rd Education Centre.
  Bring: gumboots, water, warm clothes.
  BBQ at 12 Noon to follow planting.
  Contact: John Skilton, Ranger, 027 496-8935.
  

  Travis Wetland Trust: planting and weeding.

  When: 9.00 am every third Saturday.
  Where: meet at Beach Rd Education Centre.
  Bring: gumboots, water, warm clothes.
  Contact: Joe Greenaway 383 2073.
  
  

• Tree Planting:  Clean Up the World Day.

  Help plant 500 ECan selected ecosystem appropriate trees.
  Where: Poynter Nature Reserve, Waimakariri River Regional Park
  When:  10:00 am - 3:00 pm Saturday, 20 September. (Sun, 21 September if rained out).
  Food and drinks provided.
  Bring: planting spade, gardening gloves.
  Contact: Sara: sara.mcbridesteele@ecan.govt.nz or 372 7015.
  
  

• UN Peace Day:

  60 years of UN peace-keeping (DVD).
  Speakers: former UN peace keepers.
  When: 2.30 pm Sunday, 21 September.
  Where: Knox Church, Bealey Ave, Victoria St crnr.
  
  

• Free public presentation: New school to open, Feb 2009, for 80 pupils years 1-6 .

  Who: The Holistic Education Trust.
  When: 7.45 pm Monday, 22 September.
  Where: Holiday Inn on Avon, 356 Oxford Tce.
  Contact: Educator/Principal Gaike Knottenbelt: ph/fax 03 3322721 or knottrob@xtra.co.nz
  
  

• World car free day.

  When: Monday, 22 September.
  more info here.
  
  

• Music jam: to mark world car free day.

  When: 7.30 - 9.30 pm Monday, 22 Sept.
  Where: Knox cnhurch, crnr Bealey Ave, Victoria St
  Bring: instrument, music, supper. (Piano's there already).
  Contact: Steven Muir 365 8238 or thepope@cyclingchurch.org.nz
  
  

• Free Bokashi Workshop:

  Learn to turn kitchen scraps into valuable fertilizer safely and with minimum effort
  Tutor: Nicole Buhrs.
  When: 11:00 -12:00 pm Tuesday, 23 September.
  Where: Shirley Library.

• Talk: Hochstetter Lecture: Learning from Lahars - new insights from Ruapehu's March and September flows.

  Speaker: Dr Vern Manville, GNS science (Warakei Research Centre).
  When: 8.00 pm Wednesday, 24 September.
  Where: Lecture Theatre C3, University of Canterbury. (map here).
  Sponsored by RSNZ.
  
  

• Talk: The sustainability of Horticulture and its importance to NZ.

  Speaker: Hon Jim Anderton, Minister of Agriculture.
  When: 2.00 pm Thursday, 25 September.
  Where: Canterbury Horticultural Society, Riccarton Ave.
  Cost: $5.00.
  
  

• Tramp: Guided tour of Happy Valley:

  beautiful West Coast red tussock wetland.
  (To help save it from Solid Energy's proposed coal mine). 
  When: Saturday 27 - Sunday 28 September.
  Contact: frances.mountier@gmail.com

• Youth, Art & Activism: Two days of workshops:

  explore different media for sharing ideas and passions. (for 13 - 20 year olds interested in sustainability/active environmentally).
  29 - 30 September.
  Where: Te Wānaka o Õtautahi, CPIT Campus.
  Cost: $20.00.
  A sustainable future, waste free, fair trade event.
  Info and registration: http://artandactivism.wikispaces.com/
  
  

• Tertiary education institutions: Leading for sustainability conference.

  When: 1 - 3 October.
  Where: University of Canterbury.
  Sponsors: University of Canterbury, Lincoln University, Christchurch Polytech Inst of Technology.
  more info here.
  
  
• Christchurch Antarctic Festival
  When: 26 September - 3 October.
  
  

• Spring Market Day:

  Plants Preserves Food Craft Compost
  Saturday, 11 October.
  Where: Strickland St Community Gardens.
  
  

• Sustainable Living: seven evening classes:

  Energy, water, gardening, travel, shopping, waste...
  When: 7.00 - 9.00 pm. (starting Monday 13 October).
  Tutors: Paul and Jocelyn.
  Where: Hagley Community College, Hagley Avenue.
  Register: College Enrolment Office ph 364 5156 or hy@hagley.school.nz
  
  

Reminders:

• 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, 20 September. (1st & 3rd Saturday each month & 1st & 3rd Tuesday).
  2: Okeover Community Gardens, University of Canterbury.
  When: 12.00 - 1:30 pm, 13 September. (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.