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

Ocean Aware Network: a new Christchurch based website providing news and information on marine issues: http://www.oceanaware.info/. It'll update news at the beginning of each month (beginning October) and is intended as a regional & national network. Ocean Aware is keen to receive contributions about marine and coastal events, and subscribers to the monthly newsletter.

Coming up next month: Election forum on sustainability: A chance to grill (broil, roast, etc) aspiring MPs. So far four parties (Labour, National, the Greens, the Progressives) have accepted an invitation to outline how their policies contribute to a sustainable future for NZ, followed by a series of prepared questions and then questions from the floor.
Organisers and sponsors for the evening include: New Zealand Association for Environmental Education (NZAEE) Christchurch Branch, Sustainable Otautahi Christchurch (SOC), Sustainable Business Network (SBN), Forest & Bird,  Living Streets Aotearoa, Environmental Institute of Australia & NZ (EIANZ),  Council of Social Services (COSS), St Albans Community Centre, Trade Aid, Knox Presbytarian Church, CCC. When & where?: 14 October, Knox Church, corner of Bealey Ave and Victoria St.
MC for the evening: Christchurch business woman and Al Gore climate-change ambassador, Melissa Clark-Reynolds.

South Canterbury: damage to wetlands: three successful prosecutions. (17 September, ECan).

Pegasus Bay: Northern Coastal Management Plan launched. (17 September, ECan).

ECan and CCC to work together to prevent Christchurch river pollution. (15 September, CCC).

Photo competition: post-war history of Christchurch. (16 September, CCC).

Rolling-out the wheelie bins: Christchurch's new kerb-side collection. (17 September, CCC).

Canterbury University professor new head of MacDiarmid Institute. (17 September, University of Canterbury).

Suite of lectures on Antarctica: part of Christchurch’s Antarctica Week. (16 September, CCC).

Research shows NZ glaciers continue to show significant ice loss. (15 September, NIWA).

Scientists visit Antarctic to study sea ice. (17 September, NIWA).

NIWA: this year's Ozone hole biggest on record. (19 September, Infonews).

Confirmation: further finds of varroa in Canterbury (18 September, Infonews).

High country parks network a step closer: new Otago park: .(12 September, DOC).

Wetland purchase: completes conservation corridor in Waituna, Southland. (15 September, DOC).

Dung beetles: could be introduced within three years to improve the country's waterways and increase farming productivity. (19 September, NZ Herald).

Talk sustainability: news and views, Ministry for the Environmnent's September issue.

Special delivery: First kiwi hatch at Tawharanui Open Sanctuary (12 September, ARC).

eDay 2008: taking aim at NZ’s electronic waste.(17 September, sustainability.govt.nz).

Living Streets Wellington: supports Car-Free Day. (17 September, Scoop).

Auckland: Big increase in recycling by Manukau residents. (16 September, Scoop).

The end of an era: Marineland’s last dolphin dies. (15 September, DOC).

When good trees go bad - sycamore one of the most invasive tree species in New Zealand (15 September, DOC).

Heaphy Track: MacKay Downs hut for preservation: a nationally rare NZFS SF70 ... "also a reminder of the skill of Ministry of Works’ staff in planning and undertaking major construction projects, such as roads, in often remote parts of New Zealand". (15 September, DOC).

Wairarapa's conservation week fever: conservation declared the winner! (15 September, DOC).

Nat’s Environment Policy: more details needed. (8 September, ECO)

CAN cycle safety petition presented to Minister of Transport. (11 September, CAN).

Have your say: government intends to prepare a national policy statement for renewable electricity generation. Closes 31 October.(Ministry for the Environment).

Information for submissions to ERMA to oppose Agresearch applications for GE animals. Before 31 October. (15 September, Giant Experiement).

Re-linked awards, submissions, consultations etc:

• Wanted for renovation project: 1000 homeowners who want their homes warmer, drier, more sustainable. (9 September, Sustainability.govt.nz).
  
  
• Weaving plants - biology, distribution, propagation. (Manaaki Whenua/Landscare Research).

• Greenpeace: red fish list. (greenpeace.org).
  
  
• Forest & Bird: Vast majority of Kiwis opposed to shark finning. 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).
  
  
• Govt wants your input: for National Policy Statement on Urban Design. Before Tuesday, 30 September. (Ministry for the Environment).
  

• 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

• Professor James Hansen: phase out coal and burn trees instead. (14 September, The Independent).
  
  
• UK: Geoffrey Lean: The public are ahead of the game on climate change. (14 September, The Independent).
  
  
• Permafrost regions' carbon content: double the old estimates - 1500 billion tons. (12 September, CSIRO).
  
  
• US/Canada: Tar sands: the new toxic investment. (17 september, The Guardian).
  
  
• US: Politics: Has the West reached its limits? Richard C Cook. (14 September, Global Research.ca)
  
  
• UK: Sodden farmers strugggling with a changing climate. (12 September, The Guardian).
  

• Middle East: Water shortage cripples Palestinian farming. (17 September, Reuters).
  
  
• US: Hurrican Ike: Bolivar Peninsula pre- and post- storm photos. (US Geological Survey).
  
  
• US: World without water. Colorado River & Hoover Dam. (c 7.5 min video). (7 September, current.com).
  
  
• US: Water reportedly tainted by huge quantities of flushed drugs. (16 September, environment 360).
  
  
• Australia: Coastal development - all at sea over climate change. (13 September, The Age, Melbourne).
  
  
• Japan's landfills contain enough gold, silver and platinum to propel the country into the top tier of resource-producing countries - along with Australia, Brazil and Canada. (16 September, ecoGeek).
  
  
• Australia: Bus system heading for a crash. (15 September, Sydney Morning Herald).
  
  
• UK: Hobbit house saved as winds of change blow in.. (17 September, Times Online).
  
  
• UK: Is it better to buy canned or frozen food? (14 September, The Guardian).
  
  
• Does the air powered car really work? (17 September, Worldchanging).
  
  
• Canada: PBS: Public Bike System: Plug 'n play 'n swipe 'n ride. (1 September, Green Upgrader).
  
  
• Firewinder: a wind-powered outdoor light. (16 September, ecoGeek).
  
  
• Brasilia: Norway pledges $1.5 billion to save Amazon forest. (18 September, NZ Herald).
  
  
• UK: Contraceptive vaccines may be used to control the number of wild boar in the English countryside. (13 September, The Independent).
  
  
• Australia: Before dinosaurs, pigs ruled the earth. (15 September, The Australian).
  
  
• 20 visually arresting but threatened forests. In pictures and a few words. (12 September, Web ecoist).

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

 

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.

 

• LEARNZ: http://www.learnz.org.nz/.
  
  

• Governors Bay Landcare Group:

  Old Man's Beard Control Project.
  New season's work underway & more helpers very welcome.
  When: every Tuesday morning.
  Tools provided, but wear sturdy footwear, warm clothing. 
  For time and place: ph Dick Tripp 329 9752, or sdtripp@xtra.co.nz

• Free Composting Workshop:

  When: 10.00 - 12.00 pm 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.
  
  

• Annual gathering: Living Economies.

  When: 2.00 pm Saturday, 20 September.
  Where: Project Lyttelton Community Building, 54a Oxford St. Lyttelton.
  Contact: Margaret Jefferies 328 9260.
  

• Christchurch Botanic Gardens hour-long guided walk

  When: 2.00 pm Saturday, 20 September.
  Where: Meet at the gardens’ information centre.
  Cost: $2.

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

  When: from 8.00 am Saturday, 20 September.
  more info here.
  
  

• 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.
  
  

• Clean Up the World Day: 1. Tree Planting:  

  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.
  

• 2. Clean up the Avon Riverbank.

  When: 10.00 - 11.30 am Saturday, 20 September
  Where: Meet near Bridge of Remembrance: corner of Cashel St & Oxford Tce.
  Bring: gloves, plastic bags, sunblock.
  Get: spot prizes.
  

• Tree planting at Waimakariri River Regional Park.

  When: 10.00 – 3.00 pm Saturday, 20 September.
  Food and drinks provided.
  Bring: planting tools.
  The rain day is Sunday 21 September.
  More info:
  
  

• 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.
  
  

• 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 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
  
  

• 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: Particle accelerators: making sub-atomic particles go very fast.

  Speaker: Professor Philip Burrows, Erskine Fellow, Prof of Accelerator Physics, Oxford University.
  When: 5.00 - 6.00 pm Tuesday, 23 September.
  Where: Lecture room C3, University of Canterbury. (map here).
  abstract and more info here.
  (For a general audience of all ages, especially year 12 & 13 students).

  Also: The linear collider.

  Speaker: Prof Burrows (see above).
  When: 11.00 - 12.00 pm Friday, 26 September.
  Where: Rm 701, Rutherford Building, University of Canterbury.
  more info here.

• 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.
  
  

• Event: UCSA Political Forum:
  The environment and sustainability.

  With: Metiria Turei, Green MP
  When: 1.00 -3.00 pm Thursday, 25 September.
  Where: Shelley common room, University of Canterbury.
  (University of Canterbury Students' Association).
  
  

• 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.
  
  

• EARTHWISE, Plains FM 96.9

  Each Monday & Wednesday at 10 pm.
  Conservation, environment and peace with justice.
  This week's interview: Glen Metcalf of the Mount Cass Ridge Protection Society: MainPower's proposed windfarm on Mount Cass Ridge.
  Presenters: Martin and Lois Griffiths.
  

Coming up:

• Christchurch Antarctic Festival
  When: 26 September - 3 October.
  
  

• Botany lesson: Meurky Walk: Crater Rim walkway behind Sugarloaf.

  When: 9.00 - 3.00 pm Saturday, 27 September.
  Meet: Sign of the Kiwi. (or carpool: 8.45 at Centaurus Rd carpark, opp. btm Hackthorne Rd)
  Bring: lunch, hat, all-weather jacket, $5.00 bus money.
  RSVP: jmhayman@ihug.co.nz
  
  

• Otipua Beach information morning:

  For beach planting & to learn about the local beach lizards, invertebrates and insects. (Aim: to set up a group to care for the area).
  When: 10.00 - 12.00 pm Saturday, September 27.
  More info here.
  ECan and Timaru District Council.
  

• 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
  
  

• Event: Vegetarian Food & Lifestyle Expo

  When: 10.00 - 4.30 pm Sunday, 28 September.
  Where: Horticultural Centre, Riccarton Ave.
  Cost: $2, children free.
  More Info: http://vegetarianchristchurch.org.nz/index.php?page=vegetarian-exp-2008
  
  

• Conference: Tertiary Education Management: Investing for Success.

  When: Sunday 28 September - Wednesday 1 October.
  Where: Convention Centre, Kilmore St.

• 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.
  
  

• Gig: University Campus Greens present…

  Bands: Sunshine Sound System, Taos, Soulsystem, DJ Second Sight, DJ Rakinem, Quota MC. All hosted by MC Mana.
  Where: UC Stud Ass ballroom.
  When: from 7.00 pm Friday, 3 October.
  Cost: $20. ($15: students/RDU members/Green party members).
  Tickets: from Cosmic Corner or University of Canterbury student union shop.
  
  

• Kakariki Sustainability Conference 2008: Sustainable self, sustainable world.

  When:  Saturday 4 – Sunday 5 October.
  Where: Commerce Building, University of Canterbury.
  More info here.
  
  

• Canterbury Mudfish day.

  When: 10.00 - 3.00 pm Sunday, 5 October.
  Where: Main Street, Oxford. (In front of the library).
  more info here and: http://www.mudfish.org.nz/index.html
  
  

• 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
  
  

• Election forum on sustainability.

  When: 7.00 pm Tuesday, 14 October.
  Where: Knox Presbytarian Church.
  (see under News and Links).
  

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 20 September. (1st & 3rd Saturday each month & 1st & 3rd Tuesday).
  2: Okeover Community Gardens, University of Canterbury.
  When: 12.00 - 1:30 pm 24, 27 September. (2nd & 4th Saturday each month, 2nd & 4th Wednesday).
  3: Lyttelton Community Gardens, 54a Oxford Street.
  When: 1.00 - 3.00 pm Sat 23, 25 September, 10.00 - 12.00 pm Thurs, 25 September.
  How: Just turn up.
  More info: Annmarie Banchy 021 190 4559, or 942 7190 (evening), abanchy@paradise.net.nz.
  Sponsored by CCC.