Welcome

Hi & welcome to the webpage version of NZAEE's Christchurch Branch ecoNet Newsletter, the first for the year.

Please pass on news of ecoNet Newsletter and our subscription address: eventdiary@environment.org.nz to others you think may find it interesting/useful.

To supplement the week's diary of events here's a selection of news and articles and bits and pieces of interest from around and about, and here and there, eg:

from here

Canterbury & South Island:

Management of water in Canterbury: new report highlights complexities. (27 January, Landcare Research/Manaaki Whenua).

More Christchurch bus routes to have bike carrying racks. (29 January, ECan).

Representation Review for the 2010 Local Authority Election: The Local Electoral Act 2001 says local authorities have to review their representation arrangements at least once every six years. Have your say. (CCC).
Closes: 5:00 pm 9 February 2009. 

City Council's administration of its social housing portfolio - it's not allowed to fund it out of rates. Information sessions, consultations, submissions procedures etc (CCC).

Rangitata River: irrigation scheme gets go-ahead. "Huge economic implications for South Canterbury". (3 February, Timaru Herald/Stuff).

Hydro lakes spill flushes out didymo. Probably short-lived reprieve. (3 February, The Press/Stuff)

South Canterbury: Cannington Basin dairy farm conversion fails to win crucial bid for water. (4 February, Timaru Herald). ...more here. (4 Feb, ECan).

Greens support local opposition to dairy conversion at Curio Bay, Southland - a tourist hot spot. (31 January, Stuff/Southland Times).

Invercargill: Test case to strip muttonbirding rights from hundreds of Rakiura Maori. (2 February, Southland Times/Stuff).

Central Otago DC witness stands by view of windfarms' adverse effects. (30 January, Otago Daily TImes).

High school science students on summer internships as recipients of inaugural MacDiarmid Discovery Awards. (4 Feb, University of Canterbury news).

Leithfield Beach stormwater outfall consents granted. (4 Feb, ECan).

North Island & national:

RMA reforms: Mixed response. (3 February, Otago Daily Times). Greenpeace wary. (3 February, NZ Herald).

PM Key says home insulation a must for Govt's infrastructure spending list. (4 February, NZ Herald).

Taranaki: NZ looks set to again become self-sufficient in LPG. (3 February, Taranaki Daily News/Stuff).

Petition in the wind: Wind farm building should halt until New Zealand has national guidelines. (3 February, energycurrent.com).

Auckland: New dress code for babies to save planet. (3 February, NZ Herald).

Aquaculture increasingly important to NZ. Moves to facilitate its development. (30 January, Gisborne Herald).

Whangamata: crayfish cheat loses his boat. (3 February, Waikato Times).

Koi carp in NZ: cause erosion, increase algae, muddy the water, eat the juveniles of other species and destroy the habitat of other fish. (6 Feb, DOC).

Skinks get new home on island in Hauraki Gulf . (1 February, TVNZ).

Endangered whio ducklings returned to Pukaha Mount Bruce to complete wildlife training. (3 February, Wairarapa Times).

Tuatara put off their stroke by snap-happy Brit tourist? (3 February, Southland Times)

Encouraging backyard wildlife. make your garden attractive to native lizards, birds and weta. And notes on providing food, shelter and protection. (DOC).

NIWA: Two decades of monitoring river water quality in New Zealand’s iconic rivers. (2 February, NIWA).

Applications wanted for 2009 Youth Environment Forum. Environment Canterbury is looking for three young people aged 15 – 18 to represent the region at this year's Sir Peter Blake Youth Environment Forum (YEF). The YEF is an annual event that gives young people an opportunity to discuss and plan action on New Zealand's regional and national environmental issues. More info: www.mfe.govt.nz &/or at Sir Peter Blake Trust. Applications close Tuesday, 14 February.

School teachers: LEARNZ trips for the first term 2009. (LEARNZ Virtual field trips are FREE for all NZ registered teachers and their classes).
Marine Reserves: Take your class to Cape Rodney - Okakari Point Marine Reserve to kick off your Sea Week studies. (Feb 25 - 27 2009).
Renewable Energy: Take your class to a biodiesel factory and wood pellet fuel making plant. (4 - 6 March).
The Main Divide: Take your class to climb the Franz Josef Glacier and learn about the temperate rainforest on the West Coast. (25 - 27 March).
Wind Farming: Take your class to a wind farm. Climb up a turbine and learn about using wind for electricity generation. (1 - 3 April).

Re-linked awards, submissions, consultations etc:

• Comment sought: Estuary shoreline walkway proposal. Avon-Heathcote Estuary Ihutai Trust. Comments by 31 March, 2009.
  Contact: www.estuary.org.nz or info@estuary.org.nz or c/- Mt Pleasant Community Centre, 3 McCormacks Bay Road, Mt Pleasant, Christchurch 8081. (or see: Archive Issue 27).
  
  
• Free, research-based advice on sustainably renovating your home. HomeSmart delivers warmer, healthier homes that are more affordable to run and kinder to the environment. Further details: www.beaconpathway.co.nz. (Homesmart Renovations).
  
  
• Primary school teachers: a suggestion for Seaweek (1 - 8 March, 2009): How To: Teach the Sea from the Land. Lessons that mix science, writing, and art to bring the ocean to the classroom. (www.edutopia.org).
  

& from there

• UK: Credit crunch mustn't stifle climate change action. The financial and climate crises have a common cause. Fred Pearce. (5 February, New Scientist).
  
  
• US: Dark days for green energy. (3 February, New York Times).
  
  
• Sweden to swap green plan for nuclear plants. (6 February, Times Online).
  
  
• Goodbye to growth. "...we have seen the final year of aggregate world economic growth – ever. This is a statement with breathtaking implications." Richard Heinberg. (7 January, the Ecologist).
  
  
• UK: It's time to think seriously about an alternative currency. George Monbiot. ( 20 January, The Guardian).
  
  
• US: How to print your own money - without getting arrested. (27 January, Treehugger).
  
  
• US: Why bananas are a parable for our times. (7 January, Huffington Post).
  
  
• UK: "So how many trees have you planted, daddy?" Young, green, militant eco-kids re-educate their parents. (1 February, The Guardian/ Observer).
  
  
• US: Road Trip. "We will not apologise for our way of life...". This unfortunate phrase... Comment from James Kunstler, (26 January, Clusterfuck Nation).
  
  
• The ten most coal-reliant countries. Four of them are in the OECD. (16 January, Energy Tribune).
  
  
• UK: Cheap new LED eco-lights promise price breakthrough. (29 January, The Guardian).
  
  
• UK: Growing stocks of unsold cars throughout the world. (13 Photographs). (January, The Guardian).
  
  
• US: The myth of the efficient car. (2 February, The Progressive).
  
  
• US: 10 wild & crazy bike designs. (4 February, Treehugger).
  
  
• US: Bill would allow cyclists to not stop at those pesky stop signs. (14 January, Newwest.net).
  
  
• US: Babies know - a little dirt is good for you. (26 January, New York Times).
  
  
• Clever Critters: 8 best non-human tool users. (16 January, wired.com).
  
  
• Dolphins: scientists stunned by their elaborate culinary preparations. (31 January, The Independent).
  
  
• Solved: the mystery of why locusts swarm. (30 January, 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
  
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• send us information for the weekly diary.
• contact us

 

 

• Science Alive! - Botanica

  A botanical exhibition including interactive learning about pollination and seed dispersal for ages 3 to 103.
  When: Friday 6 February to Sunday 10 May
  Where: Science Alive! 329 Moorhouse Ave, Christchurch.
  More info: Science Alive!
  Contact: 365 5199.
  
  

• Draft Water Supply Strategy 2008

  The future of Christchurch & Banks Peninsula drinking water supplies.
  Information sessions:
  3.00 – 6.00 pm Tuesday, 10 February
  at: South Library, 66 Colombo Street
  and
  3.00 – 6.00 pm Thursday, 12 February
  at: Fendalton Library, 4 Jeffreys Road.
  Public submissions close 5.00 pm 6 March.
  More info: here (Have your say, CCC).
  



• Guided tour to farewell the godwits (kuaka) north to Alaska.

  Where: Brighton, South Shore. (Meet at end of Rockinghorse Road). (Catch a no.5 bus.)
  When: 6.30 pm Wednesday, 11 February.
  Organised by Avon-Heathcote Estuary Ihutai Trust.
  More info here. (CCC).
  
  

• Talk: Issues of the day series: Pakistan.

  Speaker: Ghazala Anwar.
  When: 1.30 - 2.30 pm Wednesday, 11 February.
  Where: WEA, 59 Gloucester St.
  Cost: $4
  more info: WEA 366 0285.
  Website: cwea.org.nz
  
  

• Course: Practical organic home gardening.

  Tutor: Lily White.
  When: 3.30 – 5.00 pm, starting Wednesday 11 February (6 sessions).
  Where: Canterbury WEA, 59 Gloucester Street
  Cost: $32
  More info/to enrol: WEA 366 0285; or email: cwea@xtra.co.nz.
  
  

• Forest & Bird: Butterflies and how to attract them to your garden.

  Speaker: Vicky Steele, Monarch Butterfly Trust.
  When: 7.30 pm Wednesday, 11 February.
  Where: WEA, 59 Gloucester St.
  
  

• Information evening: RAMSAR status for Avon-Heathcote estuary:

  Proposed change of status to wetland of international importance.
  Where: Pleasant Point Yacht Club.
  When: 7.30 pm Thursday, 12 February. (also 7.30 pm Tuesday, 17 Feb at Mt Pleasant Community Centre).
  
  

• Weedbusting day (Boneseed):

  When: 9.00 - 12.00 pm Saturday, 14 Feb. (& following 3 Saturdays also)
  Where: Barnett Park, Redcliffs.
  Bring: gloves, saw and/or loppers.
  Contact: Nigel 941 7573 or 027 234 1353.
  
  

• Chinese Lantern Festival.

  Lanterns, performers, crafts, food stalls.
  When: 5.00 - 10.30 pm Sat & Sun, 14 & 15 February.
  Where: Victoria Square.
  More info: www.asianz.org.nz
  
  

• Vegetarian cooking course:

  Organic principles, family cooking on a budget, preserving etc.
  When: 6.00 - 7.30 pm Tuesdays, starting 17 February. (10 classes).
  Where: Lincoln Primary School.
  Contact: Cello 325 2156.
  
  

• Sustainable Living: Christchurch evening courses, 2009.

  When: 7.00 pm  Mondays from 16 Feb. (8 sessions).
  Where: Cashmere High School.
  Also:
  7.00 pm Tuesdays from 10 February.
  Where: Papanui High School.
  For info/to enrol contact the school's community education office.
  Also:
  a series at Woolston; and daytime sessions in Darfield & Ashburton during Term One, 2009. 
  More info: Rhys 960 2656
  or: www.sustainableliving.org.nz
  
  

• University of Canterbury community education courses:

  And along came Darwin: An introduction to the history of evolutionary theory.
  8 sessions 6.00 - 7.00 pm, starting Tuesday 17 February.
  Enrolments close Tuesday 10 February.
  
  The environment: for better or worse. Health Studies.
  7 sessions, 7.00 - 8.30 pm starting Tuesday 24 February.
  Enrolments close Tuesday 17 February.
  
  Banks' Florilegium: four lectures based on the art history, history, botanical accuracy and curating of Banks' Florilegium. (In association with upcoming Festival of Flowers).
  When: 7.00 - 8.30 pm Thursdays, 19 February - 12 March.
  Enrolments close Monday 16 February.
  
  Historical Maori sites in Otautahi.
  (1 day field trip).
  9.00 am - 3.00 pm Saturday, 28 February.
  Enrolments close 23 February.
  
  Animal Politics (6 sessions).
  When: 5.30 - 6.45 pm Starting Wednesday 18 February.
  Enrolments close Wed 11 February.
  
  The Power of community gardens (7 sessions)
  When: 7.00 - 9.00 pm Thursdays, starting 19 February.
  Enrolments close 11 February.
  
  

• CWEA short courses for early 2009.

  
  

• EARTHWISE, Plains FM 96.9

  Each Monday & Wednesday at 9.00 pm.
  Conservation, environment and peace with justice.
  This week's interview: Commander Robert Green, Royal Navy (ret'd), NZ Peace Foundation: Don't the Geneva Conventions apply to Israel? - Israel's attacks on UN property, people waving white flags, & it's use of white phosphorous, DIME & DU.
  Presenters: Martin and Lois Griffiths.
  NB: Listen again to Earthwise programmes on archive: (http://plainsfm.org.nz/programme/ earthwise).

Coming up:

• Talk: Education and the meaning of life:

  a philosophical approach to pedagogical questions.
  Speaker: Prof Peter Roberts, University of Canterbury.
  When: 7.30 - 9.00 pm Tuesday, 17 February.
  Where: Lecture theatre 1, Otakaro Building, Dovedale Ave campus.
  Free.