News & Events Archive
News Stories
Hanmer - International Year of Biodiversity Event
Wilding pine control (10:00 am - 1:30 pm) and community native planting
(2:30 - 3:30 pm) in Hanmer
When: 24th January, 2010
Where: Hanmer. Meet at the Springs Sports Pavilion (Jacks Pass Road) for the wilding pine event; Dog Stream Reserve (off Scarborough Terrace) for the planting event.
Bring tree looping gear for the morning event (chainsaw and safety gear, hand saw, loppers etc), spade and gum boots for the afternoon planting event. Some equipment will be available on
on the day.
Further details: Dale McEntee, Hurunui District Council's Biodiversity Ambassador, (03) 314 0059
027 332 109 or dale.mcentee@hurunui.govt.nz
World Wetlands Day - 30th January 2010
Did you know that, each year, the 2nd of February is set aside to celebrate one of the planet’s unique biodiversity systems? That day is World Wetlands Day, a global event dedicated to wetlands. World Wetlands Day has been celebrated in New Zealand since 1997 and this year Canterbury has two events planned for the day; both on Saturday the 30th January.
In South Canterbury the focus will be on the Wainono wetland, near Waimate. Wainono is one of the largest coastal lagoon wetlands on the east coast of the South Island and is important to local wildlife and plants, as a playground for recreationalists, and as a cultured space revered by local iwi. The second event will feature activities at the the Boggy Creek Fish and Game reserve, off Collets Road, along the western shores of Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora. Occurring between 10:00 am until 3:00 pm the focus on the day will include activities that profile the biodiversity of the Lake Ellesmere wetland margins, including bird watching and a plant safari lead by an Environment Canterbury ecologist (‘Raupo’ Grove).
So whether you attend the day’s events at Wainono or Boggy Creek, pack your gumboots, bring your binoculars, hat and sun screen (we are optimists) and see you there!
More details at following link: World Wetlands Day Events
News Flash! Tui Breeding on Banks Peninsula
In the biodiversity news of the week, monitoring staff working on Banks Peninsula have reported that tui are breeding and have produced chicks in the valley above Otanerito Bay. Monitors report that, while it is not possible to see into the nest they recently discovered, soft peeping sounds suggest the presence of several chicks. Laura Molles, a Lincoln University researcher overseeing studies of the tui notes, "Needless to say, it's a very exciting and encouraging find! The male of the pair is believed to be Hughey, but we're still not confident about the identity of the female just yet. She's spending most of her time sitting on the nest, and is quite sneaky when she pops off for a feed, but we'll let you know when she's identified." Tui monitors are also working on another two locations at Otanerito where they suspect females may be sitting on nests so, Laura notes, there may be more to come.
By way of background, the breeding tui have been identified as belonging to a population of birds that were moved from Maud Island, in the Marlborough Sounds, to Otanerito (Banks Peninsula) in April as part of a translocation project that aims to re-establish a viable population of tui on the Peninsula.
Over the coming summer months further work to be undertaken will include:
- Identifying the locations of the tui translocated from Maud island in April this year and verifying the areas that they are using.
- The detection of territorial behaviour.
- Discovery, monitoring, and if possible, protection of any nests.
- The banding of fledgling tui to assist in the monitoring of their
survival and overall population growth.
As has been the case from day one, all reports of tui sightings are
extremely helpful. With flax starting to flower and pohutukawa set to
follow soon after, there may be some very conspicuous targets for
foraging tui available in coming weeks - so please keep an eye out and report any observations of tui to Rachel Barker, at rachel.barker@bpct.org.nz .
Canterbury Restoration Field-days a "Hit"
The inaugural Canterbury Restoration Field-days, held over the weekend of the 19th and 20th of September, were a hit with young and old a-like as people from afar afield as Wellington and the southern lakes came to hear, discuss and experience the worlds of biodiversity restoration.
Exhibitor Mark Gillespie, right, with a display highlighting his research on butter flies within productive landscapes.
Commencing with a karakia and speeches from Selwyn mayor, Kelvin Coe and Environment Canterbury Biodiversity Chair, Jane Demeter around 200 biodiversity stalwarts attended on what was beautiful spring morning in Motukarara.
Mid Canterbury’s ‘paddock poet’, Colin Patterson then held his audience in the palm of his hand (quite literally in the case of Daisy the cow) with a recital of some of his verse.
When asked to choose a couple of lines to sum up the first day, Colin had this to say, taken from his poem ‘The price of progress’:
“If I could just look to the future and pass on the lessons I’ve learned - to the young ones coming behind me, and warn of the wrong ways I turned…”
Listening to Colin later as he spoke about his journey and that of his neighbours in restoring Harts Creek, there were plenty of messages of hope from a mid-Canterbury farmer who began to see things differently just a few short years ago. Like his riverside plantings, he has since grown into one of Canterbury’s strongest advocates for biodiversity through sustainable farming.
His was just one of the inspiring and insightful contributions in a day of celebration, exchange of ideas and practical lessons in successful environmental restoration.
Getting answers (and a free book) at the Biodiversity Road show (right)
On the Sunday, meanwhile, 75 people participated in the two field-trips, one around the lower catchment of Lake Ellesmere/Te Waihora, the other to biodiversity restoration initiatives underway in the lower Ashley and Waimakariri River catchments. Again, the weather was fine and a good day was had by all.
A host of people and groups worked to make the event happen, including supporters from the Department of Conservation, Environment Canterbury, Christchurch City Council and NZERN, as well as private individuals and companies. It was great to see so many committed people and to hear about their challenges, successes and hopes for the future.
Of note was a contingent of 31 biodiversity enthusiasts who traveled together by bus from South Canterbury for the event. This group participated in both the Saturday events at Motukarara and the follow-up field trips on the Sunday, visiting the Ashley River and the Otukaikino wetland restoration project. On the Saturday night the group stayed at the Te Whare Mako Wairewa marae (Little River), where they were treated to a mini-film festival of environmental films.
South Canterbury 'Restorers' at the Te Whare Mako Wairewa marae (Little River) (right)
In fact, the South Canterbury contingent enjoyed the event so much they are thinking of hosting the next field-days, with the topic of restoration and biodiversity conservation on productive lands as a focus.
Planting a tree at the demonstrations (above, left), hangi - enough food for everyone (centre), & restoration demonstration (right)
Action from the Canterbury Restoration Field-days (above & below)
Crowd at the official opening (below, left); providing information at the hub (below, centre); & Steve Wratten's key note talk (below, right)
Mike Peters of NZERN (above, left), staff from the Waihora Ellesmere Trust (WET) (above, centre), and the Wai-ora Native Nursery (above, right)
Exhibitors at the Field-days (above)
Rob Gerald, ECan, talking about work with the Ashley / Rakahuri River Care Group (above, left), ' where are they?' looking for birds during the field trip to the Ashley River (above, centre), and visiting the Otukaikino wetland project with DOC (above, right)
Scenes from the Field Trip to North Canterbury (above)
LATEST NEWS AND EVENTS
Horseshoe Lake Reserve Community Planting Day
An open invitation is extended for the public to participate in a ‘planting day’, with the goal of establishing additional native trees and shrubs donated by Trees For Canterbury. This key event will take place on Sunday 11th October, and is part of the on going development within the Reserve by the Transport and Greenspace Unit of the Christchurch City Council.
The Reserve, a natural wetland area is noted for its regenerating native bush and wildlife habitat, is a restoration project that is an ongoing partnership between the community and the Transport and Greenspace Unit of the Christchurch City Council. We would like to thank the Christchurch Engine Centre for their ongoing support of this project.
The event is scheduled between 10.00am and 12.00pm near 1 Broomfield Terrace at Horseshoe Lake Reserve, with entry from Broomfield Terrace, opposite Burwood Park North. Look for the signs. Bring along family, friends and a spade. For further information regarding this event or for photo requests:
Robin Stove Trees for Canterbury Ph/fax 9821028 or 021 1213304 at anytime info@treesforcanterbury.org.nz
Steven Gray CCC Transport and Greenspace Unit Ph 9418256 or 027 4821453 steven.gray@ccc.govt.nz
John Skilton CCC Park Ranger Ph 9417540 or 027 4968935 john.skilton@ccc.govt.nz
Got a favourite bird - Cast your vote in the annual Favourite Bird Poll!
Last year kakapo won but why not vote for ??????? bird and help raise its awareness – Australasian bittern, grebe, wrybill….. http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/poll. The poll closes 14th October.
Banks Peninsula Biodiversity Workshop
On the 8th of October, the Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust and Lincoln University will host a biodiversity workshop, in Akaroa. Running from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm (Gaiety Theatre), this event will feature presentations from an array of experts, who will describe some of the wonderful biodiversity features of this special part of Canterbury that go from lizards to spiders and weta.
The event will also feature the launch of the hotly anticipated new book by Hugh Wilson Natural History of Banks Peninsula. A limited number of copies will be available to purchase on the day at ($30 rrp).
Details can be found at the following link: Akaroa Biodiversity Workshop Flyer (265 KB)
Details on the Natural History of Banks Peninsula can be found at the following link: Natural History of Banks Peninsula (979 KB)
Learn more about the Canterbury Restoration Field-days on our web page
The next day, Sunday 20th, will feature field-trips exploring biodiversity projects in different parts of Canterbury. Best of all, it’s all FREE! Check out a short video with details of the event here:
Community Efforts Mean More Promising Future for Hutton's Shearwater
Hutton's shearwater is an endangered seabird, endemic to Kaikoura. The only place in the world that this species breeds is high in the 
Seaward Kaikoura Ranges at elevations between 1200 to 1800 metres. This bird, like other shearwater species, is often known more by its colloquial term ' muttonbird' or its Maori name titi. The former name emerged from the traditional use of the species as food by Maori who, in pre-European times, preserved birds in kelp bags known as poha. In these bags, 'muttonbirds' could be kept for up to 2 years. The on-going importance of the species is recognised by Ngai Tahu, for whom the bird has ' taonga' (treasure) status.
Historically, prior to human settlement, Hutton's shearwater are thought to have nested in their millions, and up to 30 years ago eight colonies of the bird existing in the ranges above Kaikoura. Investigations in the 1980s revealed that only two of these colonies remained, with a combination of wild pigs and stoats having wiped out the other six. Clearly, something needed to be done to prevent the demise of this once plentiful sea bird!
In late 2008 the Hutton's Shearwater Charitable Trust was established to: encourage and promote the preservation, conservation, research, public education, and sustainable management of the Hutton’s shearwater. The initiative for the Trust came from longtime Hutton's Shearwater advocate Geoff Harrow, who has championed the cause of this amazing seabird. Since its formation, the trust has focused its efforts on raising funds to support the development of a predator proof fence around a new shearwater colony, featuring translocated birds, being developed on the Kaikoura Peninsula. The spur for this initiative came from research that suggested a new colony should be established as insurance against the potential loss of the last two remaining 'wild' populations. At this point in time things are well on-track to accomplish the fund raising goal for the fence and contractors are now being evaluated to undertake the task.
You can find out more about the Hutton's Shearwater Trust at : Huttons Shearwater site
Download the inaugural newsletter of the Hutton's Shearwater Trust at: NewsletterAug09 (2.6 MB)
Contact:admin@huttonsshearwater.org.nz
Huttons Shearwater in flight (right)
Birds of Christchurch and Canterbury
Interested in birds? Interested in birds around Christchurch and Canterbury? Then visit www.birdsofchristchurch.co.nz . This is the site to learn more about the unique avian fauna of the region and to share information with follow bird-lovers.
Birds of Christchurch and Canterbury
A site for people interested in bird conservation in Canterbury
Time to Apply for COGs Funding
Grass roots community and voluntary organisations have until 31st July 2009 to apply for a portion of the $14 million of Community Organisation Grant Scheme (COGS) funding available this year. A fund administered by the Department of Internal Affairs, this grant provides support for not-for-profit organisations delivering community services or community run projects (including environment). Funding is available for rent, travel, volunteer and administrative expenses. Apply online through: www.cdgo.govt
Trees for Canterbury needs more milk cartons
Trees for Canterbury has recycled the 1 litre milk carton and used it to grow thousands of native plants since 1990. Steve Bush says “This year we will plant our 600,000th native plant in a community reserve in Christchurch.”
Since the introduction of kerbside recycling, which is a great community programme, our source of cartons for tree planting has dried up. We therefore need your support.
If you could collect your milk cartons, clean them (please do not crush the cartons as we need them whole and re-usable) and then drop them to one of our collection points we would be very grateful. Trees for Canterbury recycling bins are located at each of the Metro Transfer stations as well as at the nursery which is located at 42 Charlesworth St, (off Ferry Rd) Christchurch.
With your help we will continue to grow native plants in milk cartons as we head towards our original goal of planting 1,000,000 native plants in our region. Remember though that we will not stop there!!
NEW! Biodiversity Scholarship, Lincoln University
Environment Canterbury in association with Lincoln University has launched the Canterbury Biodiversity Post-graduate Scholarship. The scholarship is designed to provide assistance ($8000) for students undertaking thesis research at Lincoln University. Details and contact information can be found at the below link:
Scholarship flier (Pdf 480 KB)
Applications close mid-June
Biodiversity Advice Fund - Support to Canterbury
The latest round of projects supported by the Biodiversity Advice Fund (BAF) contestable fund were announced on Friday 15th, May. Included in this funding round for Canterbury was the supply of an additional $90,000, over two years, to support the Regional Biodiversity Coordinator position. This support is roundly welcomed and will help to ensure the continued promotion of the Canterbury Biodiversity Strategy over the next two years. Of further note was the granting of $24,000 to the Harts Creek/Birdlings Brook Stream Care Group, a community-based initiative operating in the Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere catchment. Thank you BAF!
Celebrate World Environment Day by Participating in a Wetland Restoration Tree Planting Project
Come and plant native trees and shrubs at Mitchells Road, Hororata, 1:30 - 4:30 pm on Friday 5th of June. Full details, including registration, at:
World Environment Day - Wetland Planting (Pdf 790 KB)
This is a key site for the threatened Canterbury Mudfish, with this project contributing to their survival at this location.
The Meurky Walks Are Back! - Take a Trip through the Biodiversity of Christchurch and its Environs with Local Expert, Colin Meurk
1. Meurky Walk, Saturday 13th June, 2009
Meet 0900 at Lower Gondola Car Park - with usual sturdy footwear, lunch and drink and clothes for all conditions. Expect to be back at the start by 2ish.
We will walk a slightly different route to usual – the Scott’s Valley Track. We will park vehicles (car pool if you can) at the lower Gondola Car Park at the top of the Heathcote Valley near the beginning of the Bridle Path. We walk 5 minutes up the bridle path and join the Scotts Valley track which sidles around the mid slopes of the valley through grassland and the below rocky bluffs and finally linking up with the Heathcote Quarry Reserve. We will descend to Bridle Path Rd and walk back up to the car park, with small detours into some interesting peri-urban environments.
2. Meurky Walk, Saturday 12th September, 2009
Meet 0900 at Ferrymead Historic Park Car Park - with usual sturdy footwear, lunch and drink and clothes for all conditions. Expect to be back at the start by 2ish.
We will inspect the recently established lagoons and waterways around the edges of the Tamaki Maori Village, continue along the lower Heathcote to the bridge, walk around the towpath track, across to the Trees for Canterbury Nursery, Charlesworth Reserve and Estuary. We may take a shuttle bus back to the start so bring a few coins.
3. Meurky Walk, Saturday 31st October, 2009
Meet 0900 at Humphreys Drive (Estuary) car park with usual sturdy footwear, lunch and drink and clothes for all conditions. Expect to be back at the start by 2ish.
This walk will cruise around the estuary to Pleasant Pt Park and Bexley wetlands. Shuttle bus back to beginning so bring a few coins.
4. Meurky Walk, Saturday 12th December, 2009
Meet 0900 at Cockayne Reserve car park with usual sturdy footwear, lunch and drink and clothes for all conditions. Expect to be back at the start by 2ish.
Lower Avon River - peruse the Cockayne wetland reserve then walk along the banks of the Avon to the corridors (Kate Sheppard and Corsers Stream) that connect through to Travis Wetland. Shuttle bus back to beginning so bring a few coins.
Up-coming Community Plantings
Amberley Beach - Saturday June 13th
Amberley Beach Coast Care is planting a native bush corridor between the sea and the Amberley Beach settlement with walking tracks that will provide a link between Mimi Moto Lagoon to the south and the Amberley Lagoon to the north. As this bush matures the remaining pines can be removed to enable the whole foreshore to be planted with native coastal species.
A planting day in support of this initiative is scheduled for between 10.30am and 12.30pm on Saturday, June 13th, at Amberley Beach. Meet in the car-park at the end of Amberley Beach Road. The planting is to the north of the car-park.
Contact: Dale McEntee, Hurunui District Biodiversity Ambassador, Ph. (03) 314 0059.
Saturday 6th June Marleys Hill - Port Hills
An opportunity for keen mountainbikers and trampers to work on restoration alongside a well used track in an ecologically sensitive area.
The event is scheduled between 1pm and 3pm on at Marleys Hill.
Drive to the Sign of the Kiwi at the top of Dyers Pass Road. Turn right onto the Summit Road and drive westwards for 1.6kms. Turn right onto Worsleys Road (before the cattle stop) and park at the end of the road at the top of the hill. From there the planting site is a 5 minute walk up the 4 wheel drive track onto Marleys Hill, then just below and after where the vehicle track turns into a mountain bike trail that heads downhill towards the Sign of the Kiwi.
Saturday 20th June East Side Bush- Port Hills
An opportunity for keen mountainbikers and trampers to work on restoration alongside a well used track in an ecologically sensitive area. The event is scheduled between 1pm and 3pm on the 20th of June.
Meet in the carpark at the rear of the Visitor Centre in Victoria Park. Drive around the back, past the picnic areas and just after the cattlestop you will see the parking areas. From here the planting site is a short walk to the “mountain bike jump park”, past the 19th memorial. From the jump park area, walk down the first 4 x 4 track that heads north under Latters Spur track. The planting site is below the 4 x 4 track. (We can drive those who do not wish to walk, and carry tools, bags etc). There will be a BBQ afterwards.
New Zealand "earth whisperers" tell their stories
Filmed at spectacular locations around
New Zealand, this inspiring and captivating
new film from acclaimed Christchurch
director Kathleen Gallagher is a
number eight wire/New Zealand response
to Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth. Screening this Sunday, 10th May, Sumner, Hollywood Cinema. Find details at: Earth Whisperers (pdf 31.5 KB)
Canterbury Restoration Field-Days - details here now!
Check-out details on this exciting event that will show-case talks, presentations and field visits around the topic of biodiversity restoration, at: Canterbury Restoration Field-Days
A 'must go' for all those involved in biodiversity restoration; from community groups, to individuals and agencies!
Kaikoura Biodiversity Bonanza - Sun, People and Nature !
The weather compiled, the exhibitors came and so did the community as Kaikoura held its first Biodiversity Bonanza event, on Friday the 27th and Saturday the 28th of March. On the first day, staged at the memorial centre and surrounding greens, visitors were able to amble around displays and talk to experts across a spectrum of biodiversity topics, from restoration professionals to research providers. Presentations staged through the day also allowed participants to hear and learn about a variety of topics, ranging from Huttons Shearwater conservation and the life and wonder of cabbage trees, to the world of Ngai Tahu and biodiversity.
The biodiversity theme underscored the wide variety of life that makes up the spectrum of Kaikoura's natural world. A key feature of the University of Canterbury display, for example, 
was a giant sponge that had broken off from the cliff-sides of the Kaikoura trench. This marine geological feature, which lies just 3 km from the Kaikoura coast, is over 800 metres deep and supports a rich source of life that contributes to the marine and terrestrial biodiversity of the area. A large stuffed cat, possum and several muselids (ferret, stoat and weasel) were a popular draw at the Environment Canterbury display, their existence in the region emphasizing the dangers posed by weeds and pests to Kaikoura's native flora and fauna. Elsewhere amongst the exhibitors Miles Giller, the North Canterbury QE II representative, was kept busy by a long line of landowners wanting to know the 'ins and outs' of establishing covenants on their properties.
The next day, Saturday, three separate field trips were organised that took in areas of Kaikoura's unique environment, including nearby forests and the site of a new human-made Huttons Shearwater colony on the Kaikoura Peninsula. This latter initiative has developed out of concerns over the vulnerability of existing nesting sites for this bird and the belief that a new secure colony should exist as a safety net against their decline and loss.
The event coordinator, Jodie Denton, of the Kaikoura District Council judged the two-days to have been a success; the long hours of hard work and preparation being repaided by a good turn-out of exhibitors and the public. Although still early days, thinking caps are on about how to grow the event and build on the success of this Bonanza. Well done Kaikoura!
Images from the first Kaikoura Biodiversity Bonanza. Left: 'Put up a banner and they will come' and they did with a constant stream of people attending the event on both days Right: Fitz the possum, one of the threats to New Zealand biodiversity (although not Fitz - he's stuffed!) looks out across the community hall wondering where it all went wrong.
Visit by DoC - Presentation from Fund Advisers
On the 10th March, Stephanie Weller and Katrina Edwards, fund coordinators from the Department of Conservation, Wellington, spoke at Environment Canterbury (Christchurch). In an hour long presentation Stephanie and Katrina outlined details on the the Biodiversity Advice Fund and the Community Conservation Fund . With a video link to the Timaru office of Environment Canterbury, a cross-region audience of Environment Canterbury staff, community members and councilors were treated to a detail introduction to the two funds and their role in promoting biodiversity. An interesting point made at the meeting was the relative low number of application for projects submitted from Canterbury. A challenge, Stephanie stated, was to see more applications from the region. Both Stephanie and Katrina are due to attend the Kaikoura Biodiversity Bonanza on the 27th of March and the proposed Canterbury Restoration Day event, scheduled for early September 2009. It is intended to include the power-point of the presentation here once it has been amended by the Wellington team. Thank you to Stephanie and Katrina for making themselves available.
In the picture above: Stephen Hall (ECan), Wayne McCallum (Biodiversity Coordinator) and Stephanie Weller (DoC)
Further information on both the Funds can be found on this web-site under the Funding hub.
Check-out a presentation on the funds by clicking on the following link: CCF and BioFunds Presentation (Pdf 430 KB)
EVENTS
Up-coming events:
- Keeping it Kiwi: Free Demo Day. "A smorgasbord of ideas and incentives for using New Zealand natives in the landscape. "
Come to Southern Woods on the April 26th (Sunday, 11 am – 1 pm) and celebrate the launch of their new 2009 native plant catalogue.
Writes Robyne (marketing manager): Southern Woods is well-known for growing and promoting New Zealand native flora and our new catalogue, entitled ‘Celebration of NZ’, is out in April. Southern Woods would like to invite you to our free “Keeping it Kiwi” demonstration day on Sunday, 26th April. Between 11am and 1pm various experts will present on native planting topics, including stream side and water-race planting, natives for shelter and garden design, funding opportunities when planting natives, plantings at Lake Ellesmere/Te Waihora, as well as holding our native planting competition for local primary schools. Not only that, but we¹ll provide the BBQ and lolly scramble as well!
To request a copy of our free 2009 catalogue or to register for the Demo Day (not compulsory, but very helpful), phone 0800 800 352, or email robyne@southernwoods.co.nz. Check the following link for details:
Demo Day 2009 A3 Poster (4.5MB)
- Support the Hutton Shearwater in Kaikoura. In Kaikoura the community, Department of Conservation and local iwi are working to bring titi (Hutton Shearwater) back to the Peninsula, a location they have been absent from for many decades.
One of several species of shearwater found in New Zealand, the Hutton's was formally thought to be extinct until its rediscovered in the 1960s in the Seward Kaikoura Range.
Today, using a combination of nesting boxes, the translocationof chicks and the enticement of shearwater calls amplified through stereo speakers the birds are being encouraged to re-colonise a small portion of the peninsula coast line (see photo, right). If this recovery programme is successful it will bring the total number of Hutton shearwater nesting sites to three, one
up from the current two, and will reverse a decline in nesting areas that has occurred over the last 40 years. Making this happen requires community support, including public donations. If you are interested in contributing to the Shearwater Recovery Programme, please contact the Huttons Shearwater Trust through its treasurer: lindsay.jan.rowe@xtra.co.nz. Meanwhile, learn more about the work of the Trust at the Kaikoura Biodiversity Bonanza, being held on the 27th of March, at the Kaikoura Memorial Hall and Greens: Biodiversity Flyer - Kaikoura Bio Bonanza
- "Bioblitz" Lincoln, Liffey Domain. Come and join in! It is a free event, educational and a lot of fun. " Bioblitz is a scientific race against time. Our goal is to find as many species as we can in 24 hours in the Liffey Domain. There will be lots to see and do at Base Camp at the church hall on James Street (opposite the Lincoln Fire Station). You can also join field trips with scientists throughout the day and after dark. 3:15 pm Friday 3rd April - 3:15 pm Saturday 4th April. Everyone is welcome. Check out the flyer at: Poster Bioblitz_Lincoln Liffey Domain latest
Recent events:
- 5th June: World Environment Day: To find out about World Environment Day events in Canterbury go to www.stepupcanterbury.org.nz. To find out about events around New Zealand go to www.nzlive.com and put 'world environment day' into the search box at the top of the page.
If you are involved with or know of an event coming up (whether local, regional or national) that you would like featured here, please register the details by clicking here.
Events may include volunteer planting days, weed control, working bees; workshops and field-days; information sessions and forums; conferences and training events, etc.
Find out more about biodiversity related events you can take part in by following the links below or checking out the website of your local city or district council.
- www.bush.org.nz/whatson/index.html
- www.ccc.govt.nz/Parks/HowYouCanHelp/VolunteerInYourParks/VolunteerEventsAndProgramme.asp
- www.doc.govt.nz/templates/defaultlanding.aspx?id=32226
- http://weedbusters.co.nz/weedbuster_near_u/display_region.asp?Region=Canterbury
- www.conservationvolunteers.org.nz/
New Wrybill Populations Identified
Survey worked completed by Environment Canterbury ecologists in late 2008 has identified new breeding locations of the rare braided river wader, the wrybill (Ngutu pare). The populations, found on the Waiau River, represent the northern most recording of breeding birds in the province (although wrybill regularly fly further north to the Firth of Thames and beyond to spend winter).
The Waiau survey also confirmed the river’s importance as a home for banded dotterel, black-fronted tern, and black-billed and black-backed gulls. During the survey several smaller rivers in North Canterbury were also identified as supporting significant bird populations, including the Kahutara (near Kaikoura) and the Kowai (near Liethfield). Full details of the survey are available in a report from Environment Canterbury: Braided river bird surveys of the Waiau River and eight smaller Canterbury rivers, spring 2008 (Author: Frances Schmechel). Contact Customer Services (03 365 3828) to find out about securing a copy.
Tui Set to Return to Banks Peninsula
The last resident population of Tui disappeared from the Peninsula in the 1960s, with habitat loss, predation and (possibly) disease thought to be responsible for their demise. Today, an occasional vagrant bird makes its way to the Peninsula but these birds are the exception rather than the rule. Maud Island currently has a surplus of Tui, with the translocation offering a useful means for reducing numbers on this island sanctuary. The Tui release is scheduled for the middle of April and will include a special ceremony to celebrate the return of this native songster to the Peninsula.
Past Events
Peninsula Walks - Oashore Farm
A working farm of around 500 ha, Oashore belongs to an overseas owner who has taken a keen interest in the restoration of biodiversity values on the property. Our host for the day, Kate Whyte, is employed to oversee this work and was able to share her experiences and hopes for the farm during the 4-hour trek. Special features on the property include a covenant protecting native grassland on the slopes above Te Waiwera and the remains of buildings and a pot associated with a whaling station that operated from the bay in the mid-1800s (one of several on the Peninsula).
E-Newsletter
The Canterbury Biodiversity newsletter is now available on-line as a PDF. Simply click on the below link and you will be able to read or download the latest information on biodiversity events, activities and initiatives underway in Canterbury.
April to June newsletter (711 KB)
January - March 2009, First Quarter Newsletter (518 KB)
Steering Group meeting minutes
The Biodiversity Steering Group comprises representatives of central and local government agencies (e.g., Department of Conservation) and groups (e.g., Forest and Bird) that have adopted or maintain an interest in the Canterbury Biodiversity Strategy. It meets regularly to oversee and assist in facilitating the implementation of the Strategy.
Minutes of First Steering Group Meeting 13th October 2009 - draft (60.40 KB)