from here

Canterbury & South Island:

Nominations open for 2009 Roger Award. (18 June, CAFCA). (Campaign against foreign control of Aotearoa).

Eight Councils warned - administrator could be sent in to run them if they do not improve their resource consent times. ECan singled out. (16 June, NBR).
Also:
Smith threatens sack for 'hopeless' ECan. (17 June, The Press/Stuff).
Also:
ECan 'hung out to dry' by central govt, says Water Rights Trust chairman.
(16 June, Stuff/The Press).
And:
ECan says results improving, but has three times the work load of any other region, and more than half consents sought are applications for water. (11 June, ECan).

Motuara Island, Marlborough: Now home to five Okarito kiwi chicks. (16 June, Marlborough Express/Stuff).

Washdyke, Timaru: We can't hold back the tide, says ECan. (17 June, Timaru Herald/Stuff).

Rakaia: Companies owned by Fed Farmers leader face charges over effluent disposal. (18 June, Stuff/The Press).

Waitaki River: Mediation fails, appeal to proceed against Meridian's $900m tunnel power proposal. (16 June, Otago Daily Times).

Otago: Survey shows Rail Trail generates $7m locally. (17 June, Otago Daily Times).

Omakau: Missing about 860 sq metres? - can't remember where you left it? Council's final attempt to find an owner. (17 June, Otago Daily Times).

North Island & national:

Scrapheap for Enviroschools' green projects. There are more than 600 Enviroschools in NZ. Teacher aides who help children learn about recycling, saving water and growing their own food have been scrapped by the Education Ministry because those are not considered "core" skills for children to learn. (15 June, NZ Herald).

Parenting courses - a centrepiece of the National Party's pre-election "fresh start" policy - have had their funding axed in Budget cuts to adult education. (18 June, NZ Herald).

Budget savings starting to bite. eg, As many as 15,000 tutors at risk, says Labour, due to Adult Eduction cuts. (17 June, Dominion Post/Stuff).

Two big ideas came out of last week's environment summit. Gary Taylor. (15 June, NZ Herald).

Study: Little impact on economy seen from carbon charges. Study supports ETS. (18 June, NZ Herald).

How we can help the fight against global warning without even trying. Maire Leadbeater. (18 June, NZ Herald).

NZ power production plummets. 5%. (17 June, NBR). (Is 5% a plummet? - ed).

Electric cars will be exempt from road ontinued user charges for four years. (17 June, NZ Herald).

Free school fruit could be binned - continued Govt funding looks unlikely. An attack on common sense and child health, says Sue Kedgely. (17 June, Gisborne Herald).

Wellington: Brooklyn walkway to be transformed into a community orchard with free fruit. (17 June, Dominion Post/Stuff).

Tararua Ranges: NZ Windfarms bids for 56 more turbines. (17 June, Dominion Post/Stuff).

Masterton: Why replace natural grass with artificial? - athletics advisor to Council. (17 June, Dominion Post/Stuff).

New Plymouth: Green couple see red over eco-homes. (17 June, Taranaki Daily News).

Taranaki: Farmer doing long-term experiment to see if organic dairy farming does stack up over conventional. (15 June, Taranaki Daily News/Stuff).

Lake Taupo: Call to curb lake's hydro levels. High risks of erosion and flooding. (17 June, Dominion Post/Stuff).

Hamilton: New bid for commuter train north to Auckland. (17 June, Stuff/Waikato Times).

Waitakere Ranges: Species' survival is council's priority. Adopts plan to save some of them. 46 animal and 160 plant species are considered threatened. (16 June, Western Leader/Stuff).

Pakuranga, Auckland: Cellphone towers rile residents. (18 June, NZ Herald).

Waiheke Island: Protesters say rubbish! Auckland City councillors recommended scrapping local recycling and disqualifying the local contractor. (12 June, NZ Herald).

Clevedon: Gold Coast-style gated community canal development case delayed. Plenty opposition. (15 June, NZ Herald).

Video records of the recent Freeze! in support of action on climate change. (16 June, freezenz.wordpress.com).

Scientist believes test could identify free-range eggs. (16 June, Stuff/The Press).

On a wing and a prayer: NZ fairy terns - slight, plucky birds the size of blackbirds. Only 36 left in the world. Earlier this year, some schmuck trod on one and killed it. (14 June, NZ Herald).

Sirocco, the friendly (but all talk!) kakapo, may tour nationwide. (18 June, Southland Times/Stuff).

Record season for breeding endangered birds. (18 June, NZ Herald).

Raoul Island: Kakariki's spontaneous return after 150 years - a conservation first. (17 June, Dominion Post/Stuff).

Newest technology helping to save rowi kiwi. (18 June, Stuff/The Press).

Re-linked awards, submissions, consultations etc:

• Canterbury Restoration Field-days, September 2009: Bringing Back Biodiversity - “Get Inspired, Get Involved, Get it Right!” Registrations requested & expressions of interest to exhibit/promote your activity or business.
  When: 10.00 - 5.00 pm, 19 September. (Field trips round central Canterbury 20 September).
  Where: DOC nursery, Motukarara.
  More info/registration forms/interested to exhibit: www.canterburybiodiversity.org.nz/ .
  Contact: wayne.mccallum@ecan.govt.nz. Latest Canterbury Biodiversity Newsletter: here.
  
  
• Sign On: help avoid catastrophic climate change. Sign on here. (www.signon.org.nz). Greenpeace climate change campaign - to
  get NZ to commit to target of 40% GHG reduction by 2020 at UN climate talks in Copenhagen in December.
  
  
• Canterbury Aoraki Conservation Board calls for nominations for 2009 Conservation Awards. By 30 June.
  
  
• ECan's Environment Enhancement Fund open: 1 June - 31 August. Anyone can apply for up to $5000 for projects that benefit the health of ecosystems in the region. More info/applications: www.ecan.govt.nz/eef.
  
  
• Christchurch air rules awareness campaign: ECan's Home heating rules for Christchurch: Click on the heating situation on the map provided to find out the rules that apply in your area. (ECan).
  
  
• LEARNZ field trips:
  Geo Hazards - A trip to walk over the Auckland volcanoes, stay on Rangitoto Island and learn about impacts of volcanic events of the past, present and future. 24-26 June.
  More info: www.learnz.org.nz. or contact: charmaine@learnz.org.nz.
  

& from there

• Brussels: Scientists prepare for Copenhagen Climate Change talks: Inaction is inexcusable. Key indicators such as global mean surface temperature, sea-level rise and extreme climatic events are already moving beyond the patterns of natural variability within which contemporary society and economy have developed. (18 June, Science Daily).
  
  
• US: The impacts of climate change are already causing migration and displacement. (14 June, New York Times).
  
  
• US: Obama targets US public with call for climate action. (16 June, The Guardian).
  
  
• UK: These Green shoots mean business. Environmental campaigners are no longer anti-growth, says Geoffrey Lean. (11 June, The Daily Telegraph).
  
  
• US: Definancialisation, deglobalisation, localisation. "The title of this talk is a bit of a mouthful, but what I want to say can be summed up in simpler words: we all have to prepare for life without much money, where imported goods are scarce, and where people have to provide for their own needs, and those of their immediate neighbours." Dimitry Orlov, author of "Reinventing Collapse". (16 June, ClubOrlov).
  
  
• US: Dozens of US cities may have to be bulldozed in order to survive economic decline. (12 June, Telegraph.co.uk).
  
  
• Australia: Highly vulnerable to oil shortages. Will be one of the countries hardest hit. (11 June, Sydney Morning Herald).
  
  
• Australia: Money worries, so town prints its own: The baroon dollar. (10 June, ABC News).
  
  
• US: Food Inc: New film exposes unsavoury side of US food industry. (14 June, The Telegraph).
  
  
• US: Pint-sized cows big in America as healthier, greener lifestyle beckons. (15 June, Times Online).
  
  
• UK: McCartney urges meat free days to tackle climate change. (17 June, The Independent).
  
  
• UK: Lettuce reign over you: The Queen starts an allotment. (14 June, The Times Online).
  
  
• Canada: How did 100 million women disappear? The ratio of women to men in developing regions and in some cultures is suspiciously below the norm. (6 June, The Star, Toronto).
  
  
• India: Farm suicides turn children into farmers. (10 June, IPS News).
  
  
• Australia: The suburban dream lives on. Long-term rentals...would remove the stigma from renting and give lessees greater security than short-term leases, and more flexibility than a mortgage. (13 June, The Australian).
  
  
• US: World's dirtiest lakes and rivers. Slideshow, 17 pictures. (10 June, TreeHugger).
  
  
• US: This woman is redefining public transportation. (15 June, Infrastructurist).
  
  
• China: e-bikes are swarming. The vanguard of another transport revolution, leaving cars in the dust. (17 June, Time).
  
  
  Technology:
  
• US: MIT developing concrete that lasts for 16,000 years. (17 June, Inhabitat).
  
  
• Italy: New speed record set for electric planes. (17 June, ecoGeek).
  
  
• Canada: Cellulosic ethanol flowing at one Canadian pump. 10% blend. World's first commercial delivery. (11 June, ecoGeek).
  New York Times' version of the story here. (10 June).
  
  
• UK: Small hydrogen city car will be open source. (11 June, ecoGeek).
  
  
• UK: Sainsbury's brings eco-power to the checkout with 'kinetic plates'. 30 kWh an hour. (15 June, The Guardian).
  
  In the natural world:
  
• UK: Blue butterfly colonies thriving. (Declared extinct in 1979). "A remarkable success story, illustrating the power of ecological research to reverse damaging environmental changes." - David Attenborough. (17 June, BBC).
  
  
• Arctic region: 2,500 year old bird's nest found. (17 June, Earth News, 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

• Wanted: Used milk cartons for use as tree planting pots.

  Info & very simple instructions here: www.treesforcanterbury.org.nz.
  (600,000 trees grown for Canterbury so far).
  
  

• CCC Tree planting workdays:

  1. Eastside Bush.
  When: 1.00 - 4.00 pm Saturday, 20 June.
  Where: Meet at Victoria Park carpark, behind visitors centre.
  Also:
  2. Retention Basin - eastern boundary, Halswell Quarry.
  When: 1.00 - 3.00 pm Sunday, 21 June.
  Where: Meet at Findlays picnic area.
  Barbecues to follow both workdays.
  More info/contact: 941 8999.
  
  

• Fundraising event: Out of the Blue. Women's world music choir.

  When: 7.30 pm Saturday, 20 June & 3.00 pm Sunday, 21 June.
  Where: Rose Historic Chapel, 886 Colombo St.
  Cost: $10.00 (children $5.00).
  More info/contact: Rosie 328 7783 or rosela@clear.net.nz.
  All proceeds to Christchurch City Mission.
  
  

• Work day: Quail Island restoration.

  When: Sunday, 21 June. (Ferry leaves Lyttelton 9.20 am returns 3.30 pm). 
  Booking essential.
  Contact: Ian 384 5338 or id.mclennan@xtra.co.nz
  Website: www.quailisland.org.nz
  
  

• Matariki, 1 - 30 June:

  Matariki is Māori New Year.
  Events to mark Matariki: Here.
  eg, Korero and kai at the museum,
  Kapa haka at the art gallery,
  matariki at the marae, at libraries...heaps more.
  Events calendar here. (www.bethere.co.nz).
  
  

• 2009 Volunteer Awareness Week, 14 - 21 June.

  This year highlights young people as volunteers.
  Homepage: www.volunteeringnz.org.nz
  Also:
  Volunteering Canterbury: www.volcan.org.nz
  
  

• AGM & Discussion evening: Sustainable Otautahi Christchurch (SOC).

  The Urban Development Strategy (UDS) and strong sustainability: Making the link.
  Speakers: James Caygill, UDS implementation committee, in discussion with John Peet, SOC, & Sustainable Aotearoa NZ (SANZ).
  When: AGM at 7.15 pm, discussion at 8.00 pm Monday, 22 June.
  Where: Waiau Theatre, ECan, 64 Kilmore St. (entry through eastern entrance, Kilmore St).
  Supper to follow. All welcome.
  
  

• Culverdon public meeting:

  Review of Waiau catchment's environmental flows.
  When: 7.00 pm Tuesday, 23 June.
  Where: St John's Hall, Culverdon.
  More info/contact here: www.ecan.govt.nz
  
  

• Talk: The work of Christian World Service.

  Speaker: Pauline McKay, national director, CWS.
  When: 1.30 - 2.30 pm Wednesday, 24 June.
  Where: WEA, 59 Gloucester St.
  Contact: 366 0285, cwea.org.nz
  Cost: $4.00.
  (WEA's Issues of the Day series).
  
  

• Choices: Helping NZers to make positive choices for both personal and global wellbeing.

  Next fortnightly networker support session: 3.30 pm Wednesday, 24 June.
  Where:  5th floor Community House, 141
  Hereford Street.
  More info/contact: Andy 3327308, or see
  www.choices.net.nz.
  (Choices - an initiative of the Sustainability Trust, with funding from the Ministry for the Environment and the Hikurangi Foundation).
  
  

• Two courses for volunteers/those working for voluntary organisations:

  1. Skills for secretaries. A basic introduction to the secretarial role.
  When: 1.00 - 3.00 pm Wednesday, 24 June.
  Tutor: Ruth Gardner, manager, Volunteering Canterbury.
  And:
  2. Managing money - the treasurer's role.
  A brief introduction for anyone who is treasurer of a voluntary organisation, or who is considering taking on such a role.
  When: 1.00 - 3.00 pm Thursday, 25 June.
  Tutor: Ruth Gardner.
  Where: Ground floor, Christchurch Community House, 141 Hereford St.
  More/& registration: www.volcan.org.nz
  
  

• Wanted: bouquets and also brick bats.

  CCC seeks feedback on Ellerslie garden show.
  When: 8.00 am - 8.00 pm Thursday, 25 June.
  Where: George Hotel, Park Terrace.
  More info: here. (www.ccc.govt.nz).
  
  

• Book launch: ''In the public interest''.

  Essays from noted scholars and experts looking at the boundaries between the private and public spheres. In honour of Emeritus Prof Keith Jackson.
  When: 5.30 pm Thursday, 25 June.
  Where: University bookshop, University of Canterbury.
  Info: here.
  
  

• Free documentary: Italy's Antarctic programme.

  When: 7.00 pm Thursday, 25 June.
  Where: Chapel, School of Music, 140 Barbadoes St.
  Organisers: Christchurch Dante Society.
  

• EARTHWISE, Plains FM 96.9

  Each Monday & Wednesday at 9.00 pm.
  Conservation, environment and peace with justice.
  This week: Catherine Delahunty, Green MP, toxic waste and pollution from mining - eg Mapua, Waihi - and inappropriate agricultural practice.
  Presenters: Martin and Lois Griffiths.
  NB: Listen again to Earthwise programmes on archive.
  

Coming up:

• Hawkes Bay conference: NZ Soils Carbon Conference:

  The advantages of biological farming, how its methods relate to climate change, and the enormous opportunity the soil carbon market
  presents for New Zealand.
  When: Tuesday - Thursday, 23 -25 June .
  Where: Napier War Memorial Centre, Hawkes Bay.
  More info/contact/registration: here.
  Media statement: here.
  
  

• 2009 Garden Bird Survey.

  When: 27 June - 5 July.
  More info: landcareresearch.co.nz
  Organised by LandcareResearch/Manaaki Whenua in collaboration with Forest & Bird, Ornithological Society, Ministry for the Environment.
  
  

• Workshop: Money & community resilience.

  An exploration of money, alternatives to the current financial monoculture, & the design of complementary currencies.
  Facilitator: Christoph Hensch.
  When: 9.30 am - 4.00 pm Saturday, 4 July.
  Where: St Albans Community Centre, 1047 Colombo St.
  Cost: gold coin.
  Contact/info/registration: 379 6305 or communitycentre@stalbans.gen.nz
  
  

• Market opening soon: The Great Alpine Highway monthly market.

  When: 11.00 - 3.30 pm Sunday, 28 June.
  Where: Springfield Community Centre, Springfield.
  Info & potential stall holders contact: Lissa 03 317 9455.
  
  

• Short courses and public lectures: July - September.

  University of Canterbury's learning for life programme: courses on social issues, adult education, environment, community development, anthropology, cultural studies, climate change, etc.
  For info/to contact/& registration, see here: www.cbe.canterbury.ac.nz/community-education/courses.
  
  

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

  Registrations requested & expressions of interest to exhibit/promote your activity or business.
  (See under: re-linked submissions etc).
  
  

• Auckland event: Annual conference: Eco (Environment and Conservation Organisations of Aotearoa/NZ).

  Greening our way out of a recession.
  When: 10 - 12 July.
  Where: Karanga camp, 79 Te Henga Rd, Waitakere City (near Bethells Beach).
  More info/contact/registration: www.eco.org.nz/conference
  

Reminders:

• Free home composting workshops:

  Hot composting of kitchen scraps & garden waste, Bokashi and worm farms. All methods demonstrated.
  At several sites:
  1. Opawa Community Gardens, 176 Opawa Rd (at Aynsley Tce). 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).
  Also:
  4. Strickland Street Community Garden, 188 Strickland Street, Spreydon. Details and contact information: www.sscommunitygarden.net.nz/Get-Involved/Home-Composting-Workshop. Supported by CCC.
  
  

• Theatre: NZ Premiere: My Name is Rachel Corrie.

  One-woman play based on e-mails and letters of a young American peace activist killed in the Gaza strip in 2003. Critically acclaimed abroad and cause of vigorous debate about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
  Director: Lara Macgregor.
  When: Season runs till 27 June.
  Where: The Forge, Court Theatre.
  More background info & bookings etc: Here (www.courttheatre.org.nz) or 0800 333 100.
  (Discounts for groups of ten or more).
  
  

• Art Exhibition: Nature's own voice:

  Watercolours & oils from the permanent collection by artists with an interest in recording nature directly through painting en plein-air.
  When: till 26 July.
  Where: Christchurch Art Gallery, Worcester Blvd.
  
  

• Last days!: Recycled art exhibition:

  Art from recycled materials to mark World Environment Day.
  When: 8 - 20 June.
  Where: Linwood Community Centre, corner Worcester St & Stanmore Rd.
  Info/contact: Hoterene 389 2881.