News & Events
Conservation Minister Hon Steve Chadwick meets a jewelled gecko at Max and Elizabeth Manson's Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust covenant at Birdlings Flat during the launch of the Canterbury Biodiversity Strategy.
Wairewa Runanga spokesperson Iaean Cranwell explains Lake Wairewa catchment initiatives to Conservation Minister Hon Steve Chadwick and others during the launch of the Strategy.
Although there is still much to do to safeguard our biodiversity for now and the future, there are already many things going on in the region. Individuals and community groups are taking action locally and in their backyard. Various agencies and non-government organisations (NGOs) have initiatives and programmes on the go, and at a national level there are events such as SeaWeek and Conservation Week.
You can keep up to date with what is going on in the region by regularly checking the News and Events sections below.
Another way to keep in touch is to receive the Canterbury Biodiversity e-newsletter, which is e-mailed out several times per year and will let you know the latest news, recent happenings and upcoming events you may want to get involved in. Sign up here.
To view our newsletter and events Archive click here.
LATEST NEWS
Launch of Canterbury Biodiversity Strategy
A region-wide strategy to protect Canterbury's native biodiversity was officially launched on 27 March 2008 at a function attended by the Minister of Conservation, Hon Steve Chadwick. As part of the launch event, the Minister also visited a number of biodiversity projects on western Banks Peninsula, looking at projects as diverse as remnant podocarp forest, skink and gecko protection at Birdlings Flat, and Lake Wairewa catchment initiatives.
Developed by an advisory group comprising representatives of the 22 organisations involved, the non-statutory strategy identifies priorities for biodiversity initiatives in the Canterbury region. As Conservation Minister the Hon Steve Chadwick said at the launch: "If we are going to make an impact, we've got to do it together." The Minister also acknowledged that private landowners are at the heart of the strategy's success.
"Many of our most threatened ecosystems and species are now only found on private land, or are critically dependent on those habitats," she said.
The Minister also announced that Environment Canterbury had been successful in obtaining funding for a Regional Biodiversity Coordinator to work with the Strategy signatories and other stakeholders to implement the strategy. Parties involved in developing the Strategy include Environment Canterbury, district councils, Government agencies, Ngai Tahu, community groups, landowners, industry, research and conservation organisations.
(Environment Canterbury supplied story, April 2008)
If you know of an interesting or inspiring story related to biodiversity in Canterbury that we could feature here or in our next e-newsletter, click here to let us know.
EVENTS
Up-coming events:
- Peninsula Walks with the Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust. As part of the Banks Peninsula Tui Restoration Project, a set of guided works are being held around a select range of locations on the Peninsula to raise funds for this initiative. This is a chance to visit sites, with local experts, and to see and learn more about what makes this area special. Details are provided in the following links and numbers are strictly limited: Peninsula Walks, Summer 2008 - 2009(a) and Peninsula Walks, Summer 2008 - 2009(b)
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.
- 7th -14th September: Conservation Week: Local DOC offices co-ordinate activities for Conservation Week, with support from other agencies and groups including iwi, regional and city councils, schools, conservation organisations, churches, and local businesses. From July, you'll be able to find out more about what's happening in your region for Conservation Week.
- 20th September: Waimakairi Regional Park is running Clean Up the World Tree Planting Day: Every year on the third weekend of September millions of volunteers from all around the world do their bit to ‘Clean up the World’. This year the theme for this United Nations initiative is Clean up our Climate. This event will involve the planting of 500 trees and shrubs.
Where: Poynter Nature Reserve, Waimakariri River regional Park
Time: 10 - 3pm (Sunday 21st if rained out)
What to Bring: Bring planting spade and gloves; food and drink provided on the day.
Contact: Sara McBride Steele, Ph. 372 7015, sara.mcbridesteele@ecan.govt.nz - 20th September: Travis Wetland Community Planting Day: A public planting of trees and shrubs donated by Trees for Canterbury in the area of the Southern Woods, an ambitious project to establish a 6-8 hectare Totara-matai-kahikatea forest within the Travis Wetland.
Where: Travis Wetland. Meet at the Beach Road Car-park and follow the signs from there.
Time: 10:30-12:30pm
What to Bring: Bring family, friends and a spade. A BBQ will be held at the end of the event.
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.