OTHER EVENTS 2010

Other Events

The following events and meetings are highlighted as being of potential interest to BotSoc members.   A section on regular workbee events is at the bottom.   If you know of any event they may be of interest to members please email details to webmaster@wellingtonbotsoc.wellington.net.nz.

2010 Events

Regional great outdoors summer events programme

9 January – 1 April

Bookings & information: Greater Wellington Regional Council, www.gw.govt.nz/great-outdoors-summer-events-201, email bookings (at) gw.govt.nz, phone 801 1041.

Friends of the Wellington Botanic Garden guided walk – “Fragrance, Flavour and Physic”

Sunday 17 January

A Herb Garden walk looking at the fragrant, medicinal, culinary and domestic uses of herbs.   A moderate walk: 60 minutes.   Meet at the Fountain in the Rose Garden, at 11 a.m.   Cost: $3.  If it is wet there will be a talk at the Treehouse Visitor Centre instead.   For enquiries please contact the Treehouse Visitors Centre phone 04-499 1400.

Otari-Wilton’s Trust Guided walk – “Kauri Grove and Old Pukatea Trees Walk”

Sunday 24 January

View a 70-year-old kauri grove and ancient pukatea trees.   A moderate 2-3 hour walk that's steep with steps.   Good shoes are recommended.   Meet: 2 p.m. at the Information Centre, Otari-Wilton’s Bush.   Cost $3 for non-members.   For enquiries please contact the Treehouse Visitors Centre phone 04-499 1400.

Friends of the Wellington Botanic Garden guided walk – “The Lady Norwood Rose Garden”

Monday 25 January

For a splash of summer colour join this tour of the begonia House, Lady Norwood Rose Garden, herbaceous borders and the Main garden.   An easy walk: 90 minutes.   Meet at the Fountain in the Rose Garden, at 10.30 a.m.   Cost: $3.  If it is wet there will be a talk at the Treehouse Visitor Centre instead.   For enquiries please contact the Treehouse Visitors Centre phone 04-499 1400.

University of Canterbury – “Practical Taxonomy for Field Biologists”

29 January - 5 February

Practical Taxonomy for Field Biologists is a residential, intensive, short summer course organised by the School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury.   It is designed to meet the need for training in the collection, preparation, and identification of botanical specimens.   For more information see www.canterbury.ac.nz/courseinfo/GetCourseDetails.aspx?course=BIOL305&occurrence=10SU1%20(C)&year=2010 or contact Pieter B. Pelser, Lecturer in Plant Systematics, pieter.pelser (at) canterbury.ac.nz.

World Wetlands Day – “Caring for wetlands – an answer to climate change”

Monday 2 February

Celebrates the anniversary of the signing of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971.   The theme for World Wetlands Day 2010 is designed around a theme of “Caring for wetlands – an answer to climate change”.   At the end of 2009 a critical climate change meeting of the world’s leaders took place in Copenhagen, and in January 2010 we will begin the International Year of Biodiversity, so biodiversity and climate change will definitely be hitting the headlines in the coming year.   Our theme is therefore timely, and there is much to say at global and national levels about wetland species and ecosystems under continuing threat from unsustainable human practices, about the likely impact of climate change on wetland ecosystems, and importantly, about the role of wetlands in climate change mitigation and adaptation.   World Wetland Day is an opportunity for governments, organisations, and citizens to raise public awareness of the values and benefits of wetlands in general, and the Ramsar Convention in particular.   In New Zealand, Fish and Game New Zealand is the led agency for the co-ordination of events in conjunction with the Department of Conservation.   For more information see www.ramsar.org/cda/ramsar/display/main/main.jsp?zn=ramsar&cp=1-63-78^24106_4000_0__, www.doc.govt.nz/getting-involved/events-and-awards/world-wetlands-day and www.wetlandtrust.org.nz/wwday.html.

Open Day – HARVEST FESTIVAL Tapu Te Ranga Marae Open Day

Saturday 20 February - Sunday 21 February

An Open Day at the Tapu Te Ranga Marae 44 Rhine Street, Island Bay, Wellington, will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.   This event is being run as part of the Island Bay festival.

Friends of the Wellington Botanic Garden guided walk – “Insects, Birds and Plants”

Sunday 21 February

Find out about insects and birds, and their relationship with the Garden’s plants, both native and exotic.   A moderate walk: 90 minutes.   Meet at the Founders’ Entrance, Glenmore Street, at 11 a.m.   Cost: $3.   If it is wet there will be a talk at the Treehouse Visitor Centre instead.   For enquiries please contact the Treehouse Visitors Centre phone 04-499 1400.

Friends of the Wellington Botanic Garden guided walk – “Figs, Grapes, Olives, Wine and Cedars”

Monday 22 February

Hear tales of the Phoenicians, ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans, and their food, wine, time, plants and legends.   A moderate walk: 90 minutes.   Meet at the Duck Pond, at 10.30 a.m.   Cost $3.   If it is wet there will be a talk at the Treehouse Visitor Centre instead.   For enquiries please contact the Treehouse Visitors Centre phone 04-499 1400.

Stepping Out 2009

March

March is Wellington’s walking promotion month.   For more information pickup a brochure of activities from your local library from late February or see www.feelinggreat.co.nz.

Dune Restoration Trust of New Zealand – 2010 Conference: “True Grit - East Coast South Island Beaches”

3 – 4 March

Caroline Bay, Timaru in Collaboration with Timaru District Council.   Dunes Conferences have a very special flavour due to the combination of volunteer CoastCare groups and professional scientists, consultants and representatives from local bodies.   Guest speakers will represent the best expertise in coastal and dune processes and management, and volunteer groups will report on their various challenges and achievements.   For further information and registrations please see: www.dunestrust.org.nz.

National Wetlands Restoration Symposium 2010

Wednesday-Friday 3-5 March 2010

The symposium will provide a highly practical forum for knowledge exchange, training and networking for people committed to wetland biodiversity and restoration from all over New Zealand.   The Symposium is designed as a training and networking opportunity for landowners, iwi, people committed to wetland biodiversity and restoration, policy makers and wetland scientists from all over New Zealand.   Organised by the Bay of Plenty Wetlands Forum in association with the National Wetland Trust.   This will be the 4th time that the event has been held (Wellington, 2004; Hamilton, 2006, Christchurch 2008).   Further information visit www.wetlandtrust.org.nz .   Early bird Registrations open 1June 2009.

Seaweek 2010 – “Fish for the future”

7 – 14 March

The theme for Seaweek 2010 is “Fish for the future”.   Seaweek is a national event organised by the New Zealand Association for Environmental Education (NZAEE) and Sir Peter Blake Trust.   For more information see www.seaweek.org.nz and www.doc.govt.nz/getting-involved/in-your-community/events/seaweek/ .

Friends of the Wellington Botanic Garden guided walk – “Ten Intriguing Trees”

Sunday 21 March

Ten of the Botanic Garden’s most interesting trees.   A moderate walk: 90 minutes.   Meet at the Cable Car entrance, at 11 a.m.   Cost $3.   If it is wet there will be a talk at the Treehouse Visitor Centre instead.   For enquiries please contact the Treehouse Visitors Centre phone 04-499 1400.

World Water Day 2010 – “Communicating Water Quality Challenges and Opportunities”

Sunday 22 March

World Water Day (WWD) 2010 will be guided by the theme ‘Communicating Water Quality Challenges and Opportunities’ under the leadership of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The World Water Day 2010 and its campaign is envisaged to:
• Raise awareness about sustaining healthy ecosystems and human well-being through addressing the increasing water quality challenges in water management and,
• Raise the profile of water quality by encouraging governments, organizations, communities, and individuals around the world to actively engage in proactively addressing water quality e.g. in pollution prevention, clean up and restoration.
For more information see www.unwater.org and www.worldwaterday2010.info.

Otari-Wilton’s Trust Guided walk – “Pseudopanax and its Hybrids”

Sunday 28 March

Leon Perrie leads a walk looking at Pseudopanax and discusses his current research on them.   Good shoes are recommended.   Meet: 2 p.m. at the Information Centre, Otari-Wilton’s Bush.   Cost $3 for non-members.   For enquiries please contact the Treehouse Visitors Centre phone 04-499 1400.

Friends of the Wellington Botanic Garden guided walk – “A culinary odyssey”

Monday 29 March

A walk with a difference!   Join us for a virtual meal in the Main Garden, and you may be surprised to discover the many products that trees and plants can provide.   In addition to timber, you can obtain delicacies such as chocolate, salads, sugar, chewing gum and many exotic drinks, and items such as ink, writing materials, food wrap and more.   A moderate walk: 75 minutes.   Meet at the Duck Pond, at 10.30 a.m.   Cost: $3.   If it is wet there will be a talk at the Treehouse Visitor Centre instead.   For enquiries please contact the Treehouse Visitors Centre phone 04-499 1400.

Earth Day 2010 – The Green Generation

Wednesday 22 April

Earth Day, which began in 1970, is now a worldwide movement celebrated by millions of people worldwide wanting to protect our planet, our children, and our future.   For the 40th anniversary of Earth Day in 2010, the world is in greater peril than ever, but there is also unprecedented opportunity to build a new future.   Earth Day has the power to bring about historic advances in climate policy, renewable energy and green jobs and catalyze millions who make personal commitments to sustainability – A Billion Acts of Green – mobilizing the power of people to create change by taking small steps in our homes, our schools and our businesses that add up to an enormous collective action.   For more information see www.earthday.net.

Australian Network for Plant Conservation – 8th National Conference.   “Minding our own biodiversity: conservation on private land”

April

For further information see www.anbg.gov.au/anpc/conferences.html or email anpc (at) anpc.asn.au.

International Day for Biological Diversity 2010 – 9th National Conference.   “ Biodiversity for Development”

Friday 22 May

The United Nations proclaimed May 22 The International Day for Biological Diversity (IBD) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues and the Convention of Biological Diversity that came into force in 1993.   This year’s theme is “Biodiversity for Development”.   2010 is also the International Year of Biodiversity and marks a year of key targets under the Convention for Biological Diversity (CBD).   It is a celebration of life on earth and of the value of biodiversity for our lives.   For more information see www.cbd.int/idb and www.biodiversity-day.info.

Arbor Day 2010

Friday 5 June

Arbor Day marks the beginning of the planting season when we encourage people to plant and care for trees and a time to celebrate the unique biodiversity of our country.   2010 is the 10th anniversary of the Biodiversity Strategy and the 6th year of the United Nations International Decade of Education for Sustainable Development.   These two events will focus DOC’s 2010 national events programme.   For more information see www.doc.govt.nz/getting-involved/events-and-awards/arbor-day.

World Environment Day 2010

Friday 5 June

World Environment Day, commemorated each year on 5 June, is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action.   The World Environment Day slogan for 2009 was Your Planet Needs You - UNite to Combat Climate Change.   For more information see www.unep.org/wed/.

World Oceans Day 2010

Monday 8 June

As a result of a United Nations General Assembly resolution passed in December 2008, World Oceans Day is now officially recognized by the UN as June 8th each year.   Covering more than 70% of our planet’s surface our oceans are probably the most important ecosystem of the earth.   On this Day of the Oceans, let us
• Change the way we look at oceans - what the sea means to us, and what it can give.
• Use the opportunity to learn more about the oceans - many of us do not realize the profusion of diverse and beautiful creatures and habitats that are found in oceans, and how our actions affect them.
• Do something positive for the oceans - by finding ways we can alter our daily lives to conserve the oceans and reduce our impacts on its fragile ecosystems.
For more information see www.gdrc.org/oceans/oceans-day.html and www.theoceanproject.org/wod/wod_about.php.

Matariki – Maori New Year 2010

June

Matariki is celebrated with education, remembrance and the planting of new trees and crops signalling new beginnings.   For more information see www.taitokerau.co.nz/matariki.htm.

ECO Conference 2010

27 - 29 June

Programme updates may be found at www.eco.org.nz.   For further information contact Environment and Conservation Organisations of NZ Inc, PO Box 11057, WN.   Phone / fax 385 7545, eco (at) eco.org.nz

NIWA Wellington Regional Science and Technology Fair

25 – 28 August

Laby Building, Victoria University, Kelburn Pde, WN.   For further information contact Sylvia Nichol, Phone 386 0396, nichol (at) niwa.co.nz.   BotSoc contact: Carol West, Phone 387 3396, and see www.sciencefair.org.nz.

Keep New Zealand Beautiful Clean up Week 2010

3 – 10 September

A week long series of events to promote Cleaning Up New Zealand.   For more information see www.knzbcleanupweek.co.nz.

Conservation Week 2010

12 – 19 September

A week long series of events to promote conservation.   Conservation Week is about celebrating and experiencing New Zealand’s unique wildlife, natural areas and historic places.   For more information see www.doc.govt.nz/getting-involved/events-and-awards/conservation-week.

Otari-Wilton’s Bush Open Day

September

160 Wilton Road, Wilton, WN. 9.30 a.m. - 2 p.m.   Native plant sales; displays by BotSoc and other groups.   Also a selection of different walks commencing 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. from the Information Centre.   Contact Rewi Elliot, Curator-Manager, Otari-Wilton’s Bush, 160 Wilton Rd, Wilton, WN, phone 475 3245.

NZ frog Week 2010.

26 September – 2 October

Frog populations are declining throughout the world, including New Zealand.   Frog Week (held in October each year) is an opportunity for New Zealanders to learn more about our unique native frogs.   During the week there will be displays, workshops, live frogs and talks by experts in frog biology at many regional centres around the country.   For further information see www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/native-animals/reptiles-and-frogs/frogs and www.nzfrogs.org/Resources/Frog+Week.html.

25th John Child Bryophyte Workshop - Catlins

October? 2010

The 25th John Child Bryophyte (and Lichen) Workshop will be based in the Longwood Range in the far south of the South Island.   Details can be obtained from Allison Knight, email alli_knight (at) hotmail.com, or John Steel, Dept. of Botany, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, email john.steel (at) botany.otago.ac.nz.

eDay 2010

Saturday 2 October

Electronic waste (e-waste) can seriously harm the environment, wildlife and human health when dumped in landfills.   eDay is a drive-through recycling event which gives you the opportunity to dispose of old computers or mobile phones in an environmentally sustainable way.   For more information see www.eday.org.nz.

Regular Workbee Events

Common Ground

Every Sunday 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Ground clearance, gorse cutting, seaweed collection, building compost heaps and plots, composting, pruning.   BYO tools.   All welcome, rain or shine.   Meet at Home of Compassion, Island Bay, behind Aubert Childcare Centre.   For further information contact Kate Smith, phone: 938 4548, email: kateandpenny (at) clear.net.nz .

Forest and Bird Home Nursery Group

Every Wednesday 7.30 - 9.30 p.m.

Seed preparation, seed sowing, pricking out and potting up.   For further information contact Gary James, phone 938 6751.

Forest and Bird Home Nursery Group

Every Wednesday 7.30 - 9.30 p.m.

Seed preparation, seed sowing, pricking out and potting up.   For further information contact Gary James, phone 938 6751.

Friends of Tawa Bush Reserves workbees

2nd Sunday each month 1.30 - 4 p.m.

Workbee.   For further information see www.tawabush.wellington.net.nz, or phone Richard Herbert 232 6828.

Makara Peak Supporters

Planting days, fortnightly on Sundays in winter (10 a.m. start).   Plant care evenings on Thursdays (5.30 p.m. start) in spring / summer.   For more details check timetable at www.mountainbike.co.nz/places/makarapeak/supporters.html or contact John Randal, phone 463 5558.

Mana Island - weeding weekends

Depart Friday – return Sunday.   May – November.

Friends of Mana Island weeding weekends.   5 people / weekend.   Ferry departs Mana Cruising Club Fridays at 6 p.m. – possibly earlier in winter.   Bookings essential - phone Julia White 938 5102, 021 112 8841.

Manawa Karioi Society

Second Sunday each month (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.)

Revegetation Programme Work Bees.   Bring your lunch.   Potted locally-sourced native seedlings welcome.   For further information contact Peter Russell, phone 383 6898, mobile 021 207 6011.

Matiu / Somes Island – tree planting

Sundays June - September

Register with Alex Kettles 569 6208, or Stan Butcher 567 7271, to confirm dates.   Transport by East-West ferry is free, quoting “Forest & Bird”.   Sailings: Queens Wharf - 10 a.m.; Days Bay Wharf - 10.30 a.m.

Nga Uruora Kapiti Project Inc

Weekends during the Winter

Workbee and plant sales: at Paekakariki School Nursery and Pukerua Bay School Nursery.   For further information Phone 04 905 6583, email: nukapiti (at) hotmail.com, webpage: www.kapitibush.org.nz.

Otari-Wilton’s Bush Trust

8.30am every Thursday; 9am second Saturday each month during the winter

Workbee.   Potting up, maintenance work in the Kaiwharawhara valley.   Help weed around the seedlings planted by volunteers in the Kaiwharawhara valley over winter.   Meet on the deck of the Information Centre, Te Marae o Tane, Otari-Wilton’s Bush, 160 Wilton Road, Wilton.   For further information contact Jonathan Kennett or Bronwen Wall, phone 472 5891, e-mail: jonathan (at) kennett.co.nz.

Southern Environmental Association

Every Saturday 2 pm - 6 pm

Workbee for SEA forest / coastal restoration project.   Potting up, weeding and planting.   Meet at the SEA community Native Plant Nursery, lower Murchison Street, Island Bay, Wellington (on the western side of the park, accessed by entering the park opposite 21 Murchison Street).   All help is welcomed, even for a short time.   Tools and afternoon tea provided.   For further information contact June Epsom, phone 384 5175.

Trelissick Park / Ngaio Gorge Working Group

Usually 1st Sunday and 2nd Tuesday each month during the winter

Workbee.   For further information contact Dorothy Douglass, phone 472 8558.