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

Waimakariri and Selwyn: seventeen beekeeping operations confirmed positive for varroa. MAF Biosecurity revokes all movement controls. (24 September, MAF Biosecurity NZ).

Coming soon: Free offpeak public transport for more than 60,000 senior Cantabrians. (26 September, ECan).

Environment Canterbury school awards 2008. (September, ECan).

Gravel island cleared from Opihi riverbed (23 September, ECan).

University of Canterbury researchers awarded $7.2 million from Marsden Fund. (23 September, University of Canterbury).

Scientists to take ´game´ developed in NZ and based on future planning scenarios, to the world. (22 September, Manaaki Whenua/Landcare Research).

Who wins if we get a free trade deal with the US? Also: Danger ahead - US deal threatens all remaining foreign investment rules. (Bill Rosenberg, NZ Not for Sale).

WWF: Fishing industry's lawsuit against measures to protect endangered Hector’s dolphins shows contempt for New Zealanders’ wishes. (14 September, WWF).

Soil and Health: Aspertame promotion again lacks independence. (24 September, Scoop).

Information gap filled: National freight demands study released. (Ministry of Transport). Executive summary here.

Ethanol Production Could Ensure Sustainability. (24 September, Scoop).

Tougher stance against invading marine pests in ballast. (24 September, Biosecurity, NZ).

Timebomb ticking away under Arctic. (25 September, NZ Herald).

MPs agree: something must be done about Auckland's public transport. (25 September, NZ Herald).

Auckland: small step for harbour bridge walkers. (25 September, NZ Herald).

Waitakere City: New era for heritage pear trees. (25 September, Scoop).

Whangarei: new Mangawhai coastal Walkway opens. (20 September, DOC).

Greens upset Public Health Bill on backburner. (25 September, Otago Daily Times).

Greens warn over controversial food colouring. (24 September, NZ Herald).

Reducing climate change could create jobs. (25 September, Otago Daily Times/UN).

Moa research takes big step forward. (23 September, Manaaki Whenua/Landcare Research).

Wet winter cancels kokako's big move (22 September, NZ Herald)

Rowi: Okarito Kiwis lay pleasant surprise for DOC. (25 September, NZ Herald).

Dog attack on seal pup: care needed in coastal areas to protect native wildlife. (17 September, DOC).

Four new marine mammal sanctuaries to protect dolphins. (25 September, DOC).

How can we put an end to extreme poverty? How can we conserve our land and seas; and put an end to deforestation? How can we... UN Millenium campaign (19 September, Enviroschools).

eDay 2008: taking aim at NZ’s electronic waste. See also: Diary of Events: Saturday, 4 October. (17 September, sustainability.govt.nz).

Walking and Cycling Micro-Fund: provides $1000 grants. Apply now – close 17 October.

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

 

Re-linked awards, submissions, consultations etc:

• Talk sustainability: news and views, Ministry for the Environmnent's September issue.
  
  
• Photo competition: based on history of Christchurch during the post-war period. Entries close 22 October. (16 September, CCC).
  
  
• Information for submissions to ERMA to oppose Agresearch applications for GE animals. Before 31 October. (15 September, Giant Experiement).
  
  
• Wanted for renovation project: 1000 homeowners who want their homes warmer, drier, more sustainable. (9 September, Sustainability.govt.nz).
  

• 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. (Organic Pathways). More here: www.bhu.co.nz..
  
  
• 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

• US: The last bailout. (Kurt Cobb, 19 September, Resource Insights).
  
  
• UK: Have we reached the end of the road for oil? Oil is now so scarce we may never be able to afford it again. David Strahan, author of The Last Oil Shock. (22 September, The Telegraph)
  
  
• Back from the future collapse. "With his book 'Reinventing Collapse', Dmitry Orlov reports to us from a collapse that he has actually experienced with the fall of the Soviet Union. Russia's past is our future and Orlov's book is a time machine to there," Ugo Bardi. (24 September, The Oil Drum: Europe).
  
  
• UK: The methane time bomb. (23 September, The Independent).
  
  
• US: coal and mountain top removal: the forgotten rainforest of North America's Appalachians: Lost Mountain lost. (includes 8 min video clip - Woody's in it). (17 September, Green Bean Dreams).
  
  
• US: Gore urges civil disobedience to stop coal plants. (24 September, Reuters).
  
  
• UK: Bird populations in crisis throughout the world: catastrophic fall in numbers. (22 September, The Independent).
  
  
• UK/China: The need to feed (part one). Time for a new green revolution. (22 September, Chinadialogue).
  
  
• Scientists say: "Chemical equator" divides polluted air of Northern Hemisphere from largely uncontaminated Southern Hemisphere. (23 September, MSNBC).
  
  
• US: Organic money. (23 September, OrganicToBe.org).
  
  
• Newly discovered bacterial alchemists could help save billions of plastic bottles from landfills. (21 September, ABC News).
  
  
• Toronto may ban the coffee cup. (16 september, Eco Renovator).
  
  
• Math model helps unravel relationship between nutrients and biodiversity. In some cases low nutrient levels can lead to high levels of biodiversity. (13 September, Science Daily).
  
  
• Synthetic tree hauls water. (17 September, Technology Review).
  
  
• UK: 1930s Einstein fridge design can help global cooling. (21 September, The Guardian).
  
  
• UK: Queen Elizabeth buys world's largest wind turbine. (23 September, EcoGeek).
  
  
• US: Huge boulders on Tonga may have been dumped by tsunami. (24 September, News Daily.com).
  
  
• US: Plants in forest emit aspirin chemical to deal with stress. (18 September, Science Daily).
  
  
• Report: Bush-meat ban would not protect Africa's threatened animals. (16 September, National Geographic).
  
  
• UK: The ultmate predator: the splendour and horror of the great white shark. ( photos). (17 November 07, The Telegraph).
  
  
• In pictures: The 10 worst polluted places 2007. (September '07, MSNBC).
  
  
• UK: Endangered bird to nudists' rescue? (25 September, The Independent).

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.

 

• Ocean Aware Network: news and information on marine issues: www.oceanaware.info.
  
  
• Christchurch Antarctic Festival
  When: 26 September - 3 October.
  

• Botany: 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).
  When: 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/
  
  

• Talk: Rivers, Recreation and Conservation.

  Film: "Longfin" - lifestory of eels and their plight in NZ rivers.
  Speaker: Metiria Turei, Green Party MP & conservation spokesperson.
  When: 7.30 pm Monday, 29 September.
  Where: Hohepa Canterbury, 23 Barrington Street (near Cashmere High).
  
  

• Film: And Not to Yield.

  (Terra Nova expedition, Antarctica).
  When: 6.00 - 7.00 pm Tuesday, 30 September.
  Where: Bird Hall, Canterbury Museum.
  Free admission.
  
  

• Talks: 1. An Inconvenient Truth about Climate Change (the Al Gore slide show).
  2. Recent research : How the Antarctic drives and responds to climate change.

  Presenters: Melissa Clark-Reynolds, Bryan Storey.
  When: 6.30 - 9.00 pm Tuesday, 30 September.
  Where: Rm 105, Law building, University of Canterbury.
  Free admission.
  
  

• 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.
  
  

• Green Drinks: http://www.greendrinks.org/ 

  When: 5.30 pm Thursday, 2 October.
  Where: de Lux Lounge, upstairs at the Dux de Lux. 
  Sponsors for the month (nibbles): Australasian Campuses Towards Sustainability Network. (Info here).
  
  

• Talk: Does government lead or follow?

  Speaker: Dennis Parker, Director EECA.
  When: 4.10 pm Friday, 3 October.
  Where: Okeover Room, Okeover House. University of Canterbury. (map here).
  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.
  All welcome.
  More info here.
  
  

• Event: Annual Cycle Friendly Awards.

  Presenter: Annette King MP.
  When: 5.00 pm Friday, 3 October.
  Where: Stone Chamber, Canterbury Provincial Council building, Durham St.
  
  

• Talk: Responding to Japanese Whaling.

  Speaker: Prof Donald Rothwell.
  When: 6.00 pm Friday, 3 October.
  Where: Lyttelton Tug, No.2 Wharf, Lyttelton Port.
  
  

• Workshop: CAN Do. (Cycling Advocates Network).

  When: Saturday 4 October & Sunday 5 October.
  Where: Christchurch.
  More info here and here.
  
  

• eDay: recycle old computers & mobile phones in an environmentally sustainable way.(more info here).

  When: 8.30 – 4.00 pm Saturday, 4 October.
  Where: See here.
  Also:
  Volunteers wanted to help unload etc.
  Contact: Harold Williams 027 244 6575
  harold.williams@xtra.co.nz
  
  

• 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
  

• EARTHWISE, Plains FM 96.9

  Each Monday & Wednesday at 10 pm.
  Conservation, environment and peace with justice.
  This week's interview: Ricardo Restrepo, Philosphy graduate, Canterbury University & documentary film maker.
  Latin America & its most serious crisis since reintroduction of democracy at the end of the 20th century.
  Presenters: Martin and Lois Griffiths.
  
  

Coming up:

• Workshop : Edible Weeds.

  Weeds and their culinary potential.
  With: Martin Tickner, Southern Seeds Exchange.
  When: 1:00 - 2:00 pm Tuesday, 7 October.
  Where: University of Canterbury Community Garden.
  

• Seminar: Evaluating trade–offs between biofuel production and biodiversity maintenance in forests & grasslands of the Midwestern United States.

  Presenters: David Flaspohler, Chris Webster, Amber Roth. (School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, Michigan Technological University).
  When: 3:30 - 4:30 pm Friday, 10 October.
  Where: Waikirikiri Seminar Room, Lincoln
  more info here.
  
  

• Spring Market Day:

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

• Conference: NZ Association of Resource Management (and Motueka ICM AGM).

  Date: Monday 13 - Wednesday 15 October.
  Where: Rutherford Hotel, Nelson.
  (NZ Association of Resource Management Annual Conference, in association with the ICM Motueka research programme, Nelson). More info here.
  
  

• 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.
  (more info here).
  
  

• Gardening Course: Grow organics in your own backyard/garden.

  Tutor: Bettina Evans
  When: 6.00 – 8.00 pm starting Tuesday, 14 October: (3 sessions, 1 week break, 3 sessions).
  Where: First session  Lyttelton Community Garden, then Project Lyttelton’s Opawa Garden, cnr Hassels Lane and York Street, Opawa.
  Cost: $25.
  Contact: Sue-Ellen Sandilands 328 9243 or office@lyttelton.net.nz
  
  

• Lyttelton course: Discovering your community leadership skills.

  Tutor: Margaret Jeffries, chair of Project Lyttelton.
  When: 7.00 – 9.00 pm Wednesdays, 15 October to 17 December.
  Where: Community building, 54a Oxford St. Lyttelton.
  Fee: $35.
  More info: Sue-Ellen Sandilands 328 9243 or office@lyttelton.net.nz
  

Reminders:

• Governors Bay Landcare Group: Old Man's Beard Control Project.

  When: every Tuesday morning.
  Tools provided, but wear sturdy footwear, warm clothing. 
  More info: Dick Tripp 329 9752, or sdtripp@xtra.co.nz
  
  

• Free Home Composting Workshops:

  (Bokashi, Hot Compost, and Worm Farms).
  Lyttelton Community Gardens, 54a Oxford Street.
  When: 1.00 - 3.00 pm Sat 27,  10.00 - 12.00 pm  Mon 29 September.
  How: Just turn up.
  More info: Annmarie Banchy 021 190 4559, or 942 7190 (evening), abanchy@paradise.net.nz.
  Sponsored by CCC.