from here

Canterbury & South Island news:

ECan earmarks $20m to restore waterways. (6 November, Stuff/The Press).

CPW gets interim approval. (31 October, Stuff/The Press).
Also:
CPW approval 'stupid' - a "sad day" for the Canterbury Plains, affected landowner says. (2 November, Stuff/The Press).
Also:
All about Central Plains Water: Background and latest updates. (Source: http://ecan.govt.nz).

Closed door meeting over music conservatorium. (6 November, Stuff/The Press).

ECan's annual report: a brief summary outlining the year's highlights. (3 November, ECan).

University of Canterbury scientists mapping new ground in Antarctica. “We know the Antarctic ice sheet is shrinking at various places but we want to learn to what extent and how fast.” (29 October, University of Canterbury).

Final settlement between liquidator and (established, 1999, by ECan) Target Pest directors. (4 November, ECan).

From the mountains to the sea: Tunnels could stand in way of cycletrack. (4 November, Stuff/The Press).

350.org Christchurch, October 24. Photo selection & description of events. (source: www.350.org.nz/christchurch).

Canterbury Regional Land Transport Strategy 2011-2041: Information and how to have your say. What should be the features of our transport systems by 2041? By 9 December. (Source: ECan)

ECan launches this season's campaign to control wilding conifers - focusing on Waimakariri, Hurunui and Waitaki catchments. (4 November, ECan).

Waimakariri River Regional Park celebrates three years. Three years ago, the area was home to up to 70 dumped or burnt out cars each month. (2 November, ECan).

'Living Streams: A guide to restoring rural waterways': free, newly released 3 part series of handbooks to assist people and groups improve and maintain the health of the region's waterways. (30 October, ECan).

Award-winning Ellerslie Flower Show garden designer wants Christchurch community to help create his exhibition garden for next year’s Show. (30 October, CCC).

Nick Smith sculpture bids top $3000. (4 November, Stuff).

Exhibition: Neil Pardington's The Vault. “His photographs... touch chords of cultural imperialism and ecological loss as well as providing a record of our collecting habits.” Christchurch Art Gallery/Te Puna o Waiwhetu, from 6 November.

Temuka: Mystery lump on beach mistaken for alien. (29 October, Timaru Herald/Stuff).

Wairau River: Groups drop river appeal. (4 November, Stuff/The Press).

Central Otago: DOC investigating oystercatcher shootings. (2 November, Otago Daily Times).

Milford Sound: Young whales hanging out in Milford Sound. (3 November, Southland Times/Stuff).

Catlins: Rare mohua transfer to rebuild stock in Canterbury's Hurunui Valley. (2 November, Otago Daily Times).

Invercargill: Seal cull on Muttonbird islands mooted. (30 October, NZ Herald).
Also: Seal cull study opposed. (31 October, Otago Daily Times).

North Island & national:

Brownlee spills on Mokihinui hydro-electricity project. (4 November, Stuff).

Report saying NZ focuses too much on climate change muddled and superficial, Environment Commissioner says. (3 November, Stuff).

Seafinds get scientists delving deep for names. (4 November, Stuff).

GE corn, authorised as safe for New Zealanders, withdrawn from commercial development in Europe because of safety concerns. (2 November, Stuff/The Press).
Also:
Environmental watchdog wants roll in GM trials. (2 November, Stuff/The Press).
Also:
Greens fear NZ a soft touch on GM. (3 November, Stuff/The Press).

Survey: Emitters should pay. (2 November, NZ Herald).
Also:
What's good for the climate is also good for our health. Malcolm Rands, (2 November, NZ Herald).

Govt set to turn back tide on sea bed. (4 November, Stuff/The Press).

Groser paints picture of our trade future. How to better marshall "the massive waste of water that falls on our land." (4 November, NZ Herald).

Archives NZ (the guardian of the nation's public records) may lose its stand-alone status under a restructuring plan that critics say could threaten its independence. (2 November, Dominion Post/Stuff).

Report on how to kick-start the sustained development of aquaculture: needs its own Minister. (5 November, Stuff).
Also:
Marine-farm law changes eyed. (6 November, Stuff/The Press).

Number of unemployed hits 15 year high. (5 November, Stuff).

Winston Peters: Fishy deal sinking our economy. Caught in NZ, filleted in China, flown back here - 21,954km. (1 November, NZ Herald).

Lobbyist urges halt in roll out of smart power meters. "Just stop now and get your act together," she told Parliamentary committee. (30 October, Otago Daily Times).

Vast plankton bloom off NZ. (28 October, Stuff).

Unearthing ancient Maori skeletons and artefacts is becoming increasingly common as developments and erosion expose burial areas. Historic Places Trust advises "finders" to treat the sacred remains with care. (4 November, Dominion Post/Stuff).

Matiu/Somes Island: Biosecurity breaches threaten Wellington harbour sanctuary. (30 October, DOC).

Wairarapa: Seal torment prompts plea to let them be. (30 October, DOC).

2010 NZAEE Conference: Te Ahu Whakamua - Taking the next steps. Hawkes Bay, 19 - 22 January. "The conference programme is very stimulating - see here to read about what's on & to register: www.nzaeeconference2010.co.nz. Early bird registrations close 27 November, so save yourselves some money and help us get a good indication of interest by registering soon." (NZAEE: NZ Association for Environmental Education).

NZAEE October newsletter.

Public consultation: DOC wants public input for planning and managing recreation in the Ō Tū Wharekai project area (Ashburton Lakes and upper Rangitata River). The area includes two conservation parks - Hakatere and Te Kahui Kaupeka.The focus of Ō Tū Wharekai is to protect and restore the wetlands - one of three wetlands projects in the national Arawai Kākāriki wetland programme. More here. Till 30 November.

Help improve the DOC website: DOC is redeveloping the 'Getting Involved' section of its website to include more information for individuals and community groups who want to get involved/are involved in conservation work. They want your ideas for this section. There's an online exercise (15 minutes max).  Participants go in a draw for a prize. To participate: click here.

Free bike trailer hire: Try out a bike trailer for a month for free. See how much fun and how easy it is to carry loads without a car. Groceries, ladders, fruit, kayaks, windsurfers, kite surfers, library books, bikes, musical instruments, pets,  tools, billboards, garage sale treasures, pinecones, white bait nets, firewood, etc. Contact Steven Muir: steve@cycletrailers.co.nz or 365 8238.

Re-linked awards, submissions, consultations etc:

• CCC's new cycling website www.seasonofcycling.co.nz.
  
  
• Lincoln Envirotown Trust 2010 native biodiversity calendar. $10.00 for a good cause. Produced jointly by LET & Lincoln University. Profits go to LET. Available from Lincoln township library, LET caravan (Sat. mornings), Lincoln University book shop and many other outlets in Lincoln or from Sue 03 329 5858, or sue.jarvis@orcon.net.nz.
  
  
• CCC is offering clubs and community groups a helping hand with funding workshops. (CCC).
  
  
• Public consultation: managing Belfast's growth and development. Till 4 December. (CCC).
  
  
• LEARNZ Field trips:
  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.
  
  
• Big Game hunting discussion document. Open for submissions till 23 November. (DOC).
  
  
• 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.
  

& from there

• Barcelona, Spain: Poor urge deep climate cuts; even UN says out of reach. "Anything south of 40 (percent) means that Africa's population, Africa's land mass is offered destruction." (5 November, Reuters).
  
  
• US: US puts climate debate on hold for five weeks despite plea from Merkel. (3 November, The Guardian).
  
  
• Canada: Multi-year arctic ice is effectively gone. (29 October, abc news).
  
  
• US: New Worldwatch Insititute report: Half of world's greenhouse gases caused by livestock. (3 November, ecoWorldly).
  
  
• Why we don't do much about climate change. Current talk of solutions focuses almost exclusively on economics and on technical solutions - but rarely on individual behaviour. And individual decisions, such as travel, heating, and food purchases, result in about 40 per cent of OECD greenhouse gas emissions. (28 October, Financial Times).
  
  
• US: Prototype - big corporations pool their green innovations. Have taken inspiration from the open-source software movement and are experimenting with forums for sharing innovations and building communities around them. (31 October, New York Times).
  
  
• UK: Judge allows unfair dismissal case to go ahead by ruling that strong environmental conviction is akin to religious belief.
  
  
• India: The barefoot solar engineers. 9 pictures. (no date, The Guardian).
  
  
• UK: Going vegetarian for the planet? Who to agree with? (4 November, Sideways News).
  
  
• US: Global honey bee population increasing despite local losses. (29 October, ecoWorldly).
  
  
• Canada: Spectacular urban transformation in student urban rooftop design competition. (2 November, Treehugger).
  
  
• UK: The grow your own champion children of Shropshire. (3 November, Times Online).
  
  
Technology:

• Switzerland: Revolt's Zinc-air battery could hold 300% more energy than Lithium-ion. (29 October, Treehugger).
  
  
• US: Shai Agassi's bold plan for the mass adoption of electric vehicles. 18 min. video clip. (2 November, Daily Galaxy).
  
  
• Australia: Darwin to Adelaide - Japan wins solar power car race. (29 October, Stuff).
  
  
• Sahara: Desertec's ginormous solar power project to produce first electricity in 2015. (2 November, Treehugger).
  
  
• US: Dell plants solar trees in the parking lot. (27 October, ecoGeek).
  
  Natural world:
  
• Midway Atoll: Message from the Gyre. The stuffed full of stuff bellies of stuffed albatross chicks - more than 2000 miles from the nearest continent. Chris Jordan photographs. (October, Chrisjordan.com).
  
  
• One in five mammal species on extinction red list. (2 November, The Guardian).
  
  
• Warmer seas blocking nature's carbon pump. (1 November, eco worldly).
  
  
• Australia: Bush rats unleashed on Sydney. Seeking to restore native bush rat population after numbers fell during culling of the plague-carrying black rat in the early 1990s. (31 October, Stuff).
  
  
• Australia: Scrub turkeys go suburban. "They've got quite canny about living with humans." (4 November, NZ Herald).
  
  
• The sex life of sea horses. With photos. (2 November, The Guardian).
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

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

• Event: Remembering Rod Donald - share stories and a drink on the 4th anniversary of his death.

  When: 5.00 pm Friday, 6 November.
  Where: Warners Hotel, Cathedral Square.
  Organisers: Aoraki Greens.
  
  

• Talk: A Quintessential English Garden.

  Speaker: Chris Beardshaw, UK, garden designer, consultant, & Chelsea Flower Show multi award-winner.
  When: 7.00 pm Friday, 6 November.
  Where: Canterbury Horticultural Society Hall, 57 Riccarton Road.
  Cost: $20.00.
  Contact/tickets: 379 4581 or 57 Riccarton Rd. or
  www.ellerslieflowershow.co.nz
  
  

• Free bike maintenance workshop:

  When: 11.00 - 3.00 pm Saturday, Nov 7. Where: Linwood community art gallery, cnr
  Worchester St & Stanmore Rd.
  Volunteers to help oil chains, pump tyres &
  adjust brakes very welcome.
  Contact: Jenny 379 5134.
  
  

• New Brighton course: Sustainable Living.

  Learn the basics of sustainable organic gardening, how to conserve water, reduce waste & your carbon foot print while saving money.  
  When: 2.00 - 4.00 pm Saturdays ( 7 November - 12 December).
  Where: New Brighton Community Gardens.
  More info/contact: George 388 6506 or nbgardens@xtra.co.nz.
  
  

• Fair: Christchurch Rudolf Steiner School.

  When: 10.00 - 3.00 pm Saturday, 7 Nov.
  Where: Rudolf Steiner School, 19 Ombersley Tce, Opawa.
  
  

• Presentation: The Last Ocean - Why the Ross Sea  should become a Marine Protected Area.

  Speakers: Dr David Ainley, US, Dr Peter Wilson, NZ, Peter Young, documentary film-maker.
  When: 7.30 pm Sunday, 8 November.
  Where: Christchurch Art Gallery auditorium, Worcester Blvd.   
  
  

• Biological science talk: Promiscuous proteins.

  New insights into antibiotic design, nanodevices, counter-terrorism and big fluffy croissants.
  How protein structures assemble into remarkable molecular machines.
  Speaker: Professor Juliet Gerrard, School of Biological Science, University of Canterbury.
  When: 6.00 - 7.00 pm Tuesday, 10 Nov.
  Where: Christchurch Art Gallery.
  Part of the 2009 UC in the City lecture series.
  More info: Here. (www.canterbury.ac.nz).
  
  

• AGM: NZAEE Christchurch Branch.

  (NZ Association for Environmental Education).
  Speaker: K J Davie, Learning advisor, Unlimited Paenga Tawhiti school, reflecting (with slideshow) on her experiences earlier this year living & cycling in Bolivia & beyond. How she has used them since her return in her teaching at Unlimited.
  When: 7.30 - 9.00 pm Tuesday, 10 Nov.
  Where: WEA, 59 Gloucester St.
  All welcome.
  More info/contact: Branch secretary Jocelyn jocelyn.papprill@ecan.govt.nz or 371 7108.
  
  

• Cultural talk: Ey! Iran. An insider's perspective.

  Learn more about Iran, its people, their culture.
  Speaker: Lady Faimeh Burke.
  When: 6.00 – 7.00 pm Tuesday, 10 Nov.
  Where: Bird Hall, Canterbury Museum.
  
  

• Course: Local government democracy.

  This week: Engaging with local government - panel discussion.
  Panel: Councillor Chrissie Williams, Philip Clearwater, Community Board Rep, and Tony Mander, Golf Links Residents' Association.
  When: 7.00 - 8.30 pm Tuesday, 10 Nov.
  Where: WEA, 59 Gloucester St.
  Cost: $5.00.
  More here (item 6).
  Contact/register: 366 0285 or cwea@xtra.co.nz.
  
  

• Talk series: Peace People.

  5 weekly lectures and discussion.
  This week: From nuclear warrior to peacemaker.
  Speaker: Commander Robert Green, Royal Navy (retired).
  When: 1.00 - 2.30 pm Wednesday, 11 November.
  Where: WEA, 59 Gloucester St.
  Cost: $4.00.
  Contact/register: CWEA, 366 0285 or see here.
  
  

• Talks/seminar: Brief research presentations from seven 2008 RSNZ Fellows.

  Including:
  - Martin Reyners, Principal Scientist, Seismology
  GNS Science: Seismo-tectonics - using earthquakes to understand plate tectonics.
  - Russell Gray, Prof., Dept of Psychology,
  University of Auckland: The evolution of language, culture and cognition.
  - Matt McGlone, Science Leader Landcare Research, Lincoln: Treeline changes in the subantarctic islands. (NZ plant history & climate change over the last few hundred thousand years, fire and human impacts).
  When: 1.30 - 4.30 pm Wednesday, 11 Nov.
  Where: George Hotel, 50 Park Terrace.
  More info/full programme/timetable: Here. (www.royalsociety.org.nz).
  All welcome.
  
  

• Forest & Bird talk: Freshwater ecology of Canterbury’s wild rivers.

  Speaker: Assoc. Prof. Angus McIntosh, Mackenzie Foundation Chair in Freshwater Ecology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury.
  When: 7.30 pm Wednesday, 11 November.
  Where: WEA, 59 Gloucester St.
  Supper to follow; all welcome.
  
  

• Talk/seminar: Active Stirling Engine (ASE).

  Small-scale combined heat and power (microCHP) system that generates both electricity and heat to provide domestic space heating and hot water. The seminar will illustrate the design and development of an ASE test rig to validate the theoretical concepts and explore the possible advantages.
  Speaker: Vinod Kumar.
  When: 1.10 pm Thursday, 12 November.
  Where: Lecture theatre A309, Electrical and Computer Engineering Building, University of Canterbury. (map).
  More info/contact: Here. (www.canterbury.ac.nz)
  
  

• Science talk: 2009 RSNZ Distinguished Speaker: Einstein's blunder undone: Exploding stars and the accelerating universe.

  Speaker: Robert E Kirshner, Clowes Professor of Science, Harvard University.
  When: 7.30 pm Thursday 12 November.
  Where: Great Hall, Arts Centre, Worcester Blvd.
  More info: Here. (www.royalsociety.org.nz).
  Organisers: RSNZ (Royal Society of NZ).
  
  

• November 15: Courage Day.

  
  

• Work day: Quail Island Restoration Trust.

  When: Sunday, 15 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
  
  

• Climate camp picnic:

  For people going to this year's climate camp (see below), supporters and anyone interested in being part of the local group.
  When: 12.00 noon Sunday, 15 November.
  Where: Meet at Peacock fountain, Botanic Gardens.
  Bring: A plate to share.
  Contact: Ana: derelictdancing@gmail.com
  
  

• EARTHWISE, Plains FM 96.9

  Each Monday & Wednesday at 9.00 pm.
  Conservation, environment and peace with justice.
  Presenters: Martin and Lois Griffiths.
  NB: Listen again to Earthwise programmes on archive.
  

Coming up:

• Public Talk: The 10 things the alcohol industry won't tell you about alcohol.

  Last lecture of a nationwide tour promoting
  "a 5+ solution to a national alcohol crisis".
  Speaker: Professor Doug Sellman, head of the
  National Addiction Centre.
  When: 7.30pm Tuesday, 17 November.
  Where: Art Gallery auditorium.
  All welcome.
           
  

• 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.
  
  

• AGM: Otamahua/Quail Island Ecological Restoration Trust.

  Guest Speaker:  Ray Genet, whose University thesis on the possibility of restoring native vegetation on Quail Island was the start of the Trust's work 12 years ago, has recently returned from France.  He will talk about the Trust's progress and how it measures up to his original concept. 
  When: 5.30 pm Thursday, 26 November.
  Where: Board meeting room, South Christchurch Service Centre (Beckenham Library), 66 Colombo St.
  All welcome.
  
  

• Conference: Social and Environmental Accounting Research (CSEAR).

  When: 6 – 8 December, 2009.
  Where: University of Canterbury.
  More info/contact: Here. (www.canterbury.ac.nz).
  
  

• 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.
  
  

• Event: Oxfam Trailwalker, 10 - 11 April 2010. Four people one goal: 100 km in 36 hours.

  More info & registration: here. (Oxfam Trailwalker NZ).
  Funds raised support Oxfam NZ's humanitarian, development and advocacy work to lift some of the world's poorest people out of poverty. Oxfam Trailwalker won Best Environmentally Sustainable Event at the 2009 Event Industry Awards.
  
  

Reminders:

• Free home composting workshops:

  Hot composting of kitchen scraps & garden waste, Bokashi and worm farms. All methods demonstrated.
  1. Seven Oaks Education Centre, 35 Hassals Lane. 1.00 - 2.30 pm each Saturday.
  2. 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.sscommunitygardens.net.nz.
  Further info/contact: 942 6630.
  Supported by CCC.