Firstly just a headsup that the Mining on Conservation land submission due date has been extended 3 weeks to 5pm on May 26. So if you haven't filled one in - do it now! http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/mining

Sunday 9 May 8am

Bellbird release                                                                    

Bellbirds haven't been seen in Hamilton for over 100 years. Now a multi-agency programme led by Landcare Research and the University of Waikato (assisted by Environment Waikato), is to release bellbirds from Auckland’s Tiritiri Matangi and Tawharanui bird sanctuaries into the Hamilton Gardens, with the aim of ultimately building up a breeding population in the city.

Bring the family and join us for the historic release of bellbirds into Te Parapara Garden at The Hamilton Gardens.
If for any reason the bellbirds aren't able to be brought from Auckland, a postponement notice will be on Environment Waikato's website www.ew.govt.nz by 5pm Friday evening.

Become a fan of Hamilton Halo on Facebook www.facebook.com/hamiltonhalo or follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/hamiltonhalo
Bellbird picture credit: Vanessa Moore

Sunday 16th May

Planting on a QE11 Covenant on Kitemoana Station
(easy/average)

One of several Forest and Bird events to support land owners who have covenants on their land, this is an opportunity to have a day in the country and help biodiversity. The Station is near Glen Murray.
If you are interested in attending please contact Philip Hart (07 856 7992).
Gumboots and spades needed.
Carpooling from Hamilton at 8.30 by Memorial Park.

Saturday 22nd May

Birds before Breakfast:
6am-8am :Cost $60

 Meet Chris the Eco man for an enthralling two hour bird watching experience to be followed by a hearty breakfast at “Out in the Styx”

 As part of the Tirau WOW weekend of workshops you or your friends may be interested in participating in the “workshop” that Maungatautari is offering. This is a fundraising event for the Maungatautari project.
Please click on www.TirauWoW.co.nz   Scroll to 301 for further information.

21st to 23rd May

TirauWoW - check out all the great workshops!

Tuesday 25th May

Environment Centre AGM

5.30pm in the Environment Centre, 25 Ward St, Hamilton
All welcome.

Speaker: Rob Herd
"Resident NZ Butterflies of the Central North Island"
Rob is a butterfly enthusiast who has bred butterflies, and will talk about butterflies of this area and what to do to attract them.

A recent book, Silent Summer, by 40 leading British ecologists, has highlighted the negative impacts of humanity on the insect world in the UK, with butterflies being hardest hit. David Attenborough, in the foreword warns that such organisms make up the foundations of our ecosystems.
So come along and find out how you can help to keep our populations up in our community.
RSVP by 21st May

Katherine Hay
Coordinator
Environment Centre Hamilton
PO Box 19104
Hamilton
Ph 839 4452 Fax 839 4454

Wednesday 26th May

Riverlea Environment Society AGM

All RES supporters are cordially invited to attend our AGM on 26 May. This year we are excited to announce that restoration ecologist Professor Bruce Clarkson will speak to us. Prof Clarkson is Director of the Centre for
Biodiversity and Ecology Research. He is an authority on the ecology of Hammond Bush and wrote its restoration plan, which is being followed as the bush is planted and improved. He is passionate about Hammond
Bush’s plant and animal diversity and its significance to Hamilton.
Prof Clarkson will give us the latest news on ecological restoration projects going on around the city. In addition, committee member Geoff Pooch will open his treasure chest of old maps and aerial photographs of
the Riverlea area. Spot the Hamilton Gardens as a rubbish dump, your property as paddock and historic pa sites.

The meeting will take place at 7.30pm at 46 Chesterman Road.
A light supper will be provided.
Stephen Hamilton
Chairperson
Riverlea Environment Society Inc.

Upcoming Waikato Projects with Conservation Volunteers New Zealand

 4, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24 and 25 May – Planting days at Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park (Hamilton City)
Experience a fantastic planting day at this unique wetlands in Hamilton City. Waiwhakareke (Horseshoe lake) was a lake surrounded by paddocks only 7 years ago. Join our team to plant native trees to restore the peat lake to bring back native birds to our city.

20 May – Maungatautari
Maungatautari Ecological Island is an internationally significant restoration project. This 3,400 hectare forested, extinct volcano stands majestically on the landscape in the Waikato basin, between Cambridge, Te Awamutu and Putaruru, in the central North Island of New Zealand. Takahe, kiwi, kaka (birds) and kokopu (fish) have already been reintroduced to two pest free enclosures. Further reintroductions are planned as predator control is expanded.

 11 and 21 May – weed removal on a Tirau farm
Dairy farmers on this beautiful Tiran farm are keen conservationists. We will be helping them restore wetlands and native seedlings survive for native birds and fish. The waterways on this farm feeds into Waihou Stream where 60% of our bottled water comes from. Your will get to learn about sustainable farming.

 26 May – Planting day at a stream in Montefiore Reserve, Te Awamutu
Join us for this great joint planting day – CVNZ team will be working alongside a local school, Mangapiko stream care group, Fonterra staff to help create a forest corridor along Montefoire Reserve, in the heart of Te Awamutu. Pick up locations available in both Hamilton and Te Awamutu.

14 June – 2 July  –   Te Araroa Walkway .
This is the Waikato section of a the tramping trail from Cape Reinga in the north to Bluff in the south this National Walkway is due to be opened in late 2010. Come and help us build a track that would last for centuries to come.

20 June – Yarndley’s Bush
At over 14 hectares, Yarndley's Bush is one of the largest remaining Kahikatea stands in the North Island. New Zealand's tallest native tree, the Kahikatea, once covered much of the Waikato region but swamp drainage and milling for timber mean very few large stands of the tree remain.

 There are plenty of more upcoming projects:

If you are interested, please call us 07 859 2402
or visit http://www.conservationvolunteers.co.nz/volunteer-opportunities.html

and search projects by clicking Conservation Connect

Yuki Fukuda    Ph.D.
Waikato Regional Manager
Conservation Volunteers New Zealand

Landcare Research Building
Gate 10, Silverdale Rd
Silverdale, Hamilton
Mobile: 021 755 226
Fax: +64 7 856 2816
Email: yfukuda@conservationvolunteers.co.nz

There are a few submissions due:

1. Due 30th April - EW Draft Annual Plan
- click on the link for info and online submission form if you haven't already had your say - it has been set out so it is easy to see what the regional council is wanting feedback about. You can put your own comments in as well.
Also always good to put in comments in support of increasing public transport options, increasing bus services, and that EW should be supporting the train to Auckland.
Environment Waikato Draft Annual Plan

Here are some suggestions from Moira Cursey from the Biodiversity Forum, so they are mainly around biodiversity. All I would add to that is to support the funding to be allocated to surf life saving. Not particlularly environmental I know, but such a great service to support, and it's only a few cents each.

Annual Health Board Levy
There are biodiversity spin offs in supporting EW continuing to collect the levy on behalf of the AHB of $650,000 a year from rural ratepayers on properties 2hectares and above. There is no other process in place to collect this levy at present.

West Coast Rivers and Harbour Support
There are biodiversity spin offs from supporting the specific targeted rate to contribute to integrated river and catchment work and services for the west coast. This will bring the west coast in line with the other catchment zones as well as giving local people a say in the work that is carried out in their district. The west coast area has high biodiversity value and a catchment management work will benefit biodiversity. Suggest supporting option 2 with the rate collected 50% from per property rate and 50% based on capital value.

 Additional Pest Funding in North Waikato
Environment Waikato propose additional pest funding of $540,000 (over 3 years) for work in the North Waikato to include the Pukekawa, Te Kohanga and Onewhero areas. This will increase biodiversity protection in these areas.

 Investment Fund
You could flag that as the Investment Fund improves, money is returned to projects, such as the Natural Heritage Fund and the EIF which were reduced in the LTCCP.

2. Due 4th May - Mining
Mining submissions - http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/mining

3. HCC - Intention to Prepare a Draft Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park Management Plan (Reserves Act 1977)  Now is your opportunity!

Have your say on the use, management and development of Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park.

Hamilton City Council is about to prepare a Draft Management Plan for Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park.
A draft plan was created in 2005. This was not made operative because of work on the Rotokauri Structure Plan, including defining the edges of the park and locating adjoining roads. Once this work was complete the park was surveyed off, enabling the land to be made subject to the Reserves Act 1977 and clearing the way to proceed with the management plan. Due to five years having passed since the plan was first drafted Council are asking for suggestions from members of the public and other interested parties as to what should be included within the plan.

Written suggestions can be sent to “Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park Management Plan” by:
Post to Parks and Gardens Unit, Hamilton City Council
Private Bag 3010, Hamilton 3240
Fax to (07) 838 6651
Email to parksandgardens@hcc.govt.nz
Suggestions must be received no later than Friday 14 May 2009.

Reminder today:

28 April, Wednesday
5.30- 7pm Eco-building – Eco-Normal

When you hear “eco-building” what do you think? … earth huts? …solar heating? …insulation? Ian Mayes shows what Eco-building really is, how you can do it, and the benefits for our health, economy and environment. There is a huge increase in the development of eco—building around New Zealand, and a large eco-building network in the Waikato Region.

Saturday 1st May
Forest and Bird Native plant sale

Note this year it is in Foodtown carpark in Bryce St,
Starts at 8am. Be in early
Proceeds go towards rebuilding of the Ruapehu Lodge that was burnt down last year, which is now underway.

Also Saturday 1st May - Anti mining demo in Auckland

Get on up to Auckland to demonstrate against mining in Schedule 4 lands.
Go to the bottom of Queen St at 11am.

See www.dontunderminenz.org for more information.

CARPOOL - If anyone wants to carpool please contact the environment centre - email your details, phone, cell phone, whether you are a driver or want a ride, number of shoulder-belted seats in your car, which area of Hamilton you are leaving from.

If you haven't written a submission yet please do so! Submissions can be made online http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/mining

Thursday 13 May 12-1pm 
You are invited to a Lunchtime Learning with Living Roofs Green roofs and walls

Reception Lounge, Hamilton City Council, Garden Place Hamilton.

In this presentation, Zoë and Graham will explain about the benefits of living roofs; design considerations; perceived barriers; London and New Zealand examples; why green roofs are being promoted and required overseas; and briefly explain the multifunctional benefits (economic, social and environmental) they provide.

 Zoë Zimmerman from Living Roofs

Living Roofs is an independent organisation that is promoting the uptake of green roofs and walls in NZ providing independent resource for information on living roofs and walls, supported and sponsored by leading companies, authorities and organisations. 
Zoe has worked for the Environment Agency in London as Major Projects Officer and was instrumental in the installation of a number of green roofs in London and the development of a Green Roof Toolkit, which received an Royal Town Planning Award.  She has had articles published in Planning in London magazine on green roofs and effects-based planning, and Architecture NZ magazine.

 Graham Cleary from Natural Habitats
Graham founded Natural Habitats which is one of the leading design and construct companies in the green technology and landscape fields. 

Natural Habitats designed and built the first large commercial green roof in NZ for Mirvac’s Quay West development. This was followed by the intensive landmark “Parc” development in Auckland’s Viaduct and a host of other roofs and podiums.
Recently Graham has adapted green wall technology with indigenous New Zealand flora and installed the countries first two green walls.

No need to RSVP – open invitation for you and your colleagues to attend. Please forward to anyone who may be interested!

KEEPING HONEY BEES, Apis mellifera - A ONE DAY INTRODUCTION BEEKEEPER

TUTOR . . . MARCIA MEEHAN
WHERE . . . 6 HOWELL AVE. RIVERLEA. HAMILTON
WHEN . . . 15th MAY 2010
TIME . . . 9. OOam TILL 2.OOpm
BRING . . . WRITING MATERIAL, CAMERA, PROTECTIVE BEE CLOTHING IF YOU HAVE IT – A VEIL IS OK AS LONG AS YOU ARE COVERED .
COFFEE, TEA AND BICCIES SUPPLIED, PLEASE BRING OWN LUNCH . . .
This is an introduction to keeping bees, a taster if you like and will cover the basics of what, how and when to start this most rewarding of hobbies – plus you will be helping to keep the population of honey bees stronger – we need more bees desperately, which means we need more people to keep and care for them.
I will also talk about and show you my TopBar hive,  this is the way I am going into keeping bees, a natural alternative to the Langstroth hive you see around the countryside – I really encourage people to learn about this type of hive . .
Come along for a fun, informative day and learn how to keep bees !! Please ring me on 07-8566468 or 0273031390 or email marcia.meehan9@gmail.com
Yours in beez . . . . Marcia

It's easy to take action:

1. On a local level - Send a message to John Key to say no to whaling
go to http://www.greenpeace.org.nz/action/iwc/action.asp

and 2. internationally -
This from Avaaz:

(click on the pic to take you to the Avaaz website)

A proposal due Thursday may lift the global ban on commercial whale hunting for some countries. Sign the petition to protect the ban, and save the whales:

On Thursday, a proposal will be unveiled that would legalize commercial whale hunting for the first time in 24 years.

The fate of the proposal will be determined largely by the world's immediate reactions to it -- and according to insiders, many governments are planning to stand aside and allow commercial whaling to resume. An outcry is needed now to ensure they stand strong to save the whales.

Avaaz has launched a last-moment petition to show our leaders their people want to protect whales, not hunt, kill, and sell them. The petition will be sent to the delegates to the International Whaling Commission every time we raise another 100,000 signatures -- sign here and forward this message:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/whales_under_threat/?vl

A strong international consensus has opposed whaling for decades -- but for just as long, Japan, Norway, and Iceland have continued to hunt whales, ignoring the global ban on whaling or exploiting a loophole by claiming their expeditions were "scientific research." Now they could be rewarded by a "compromise" proposal, in which their commercial whaling would be made legal.

Worse still, a number of other countries are watching the process closely -- with rumored plans to start their own whaling programs if the proposal goes through. If Japan, Norway, and Iceland can hunt whales and sell their meat, others will ask "if them, why not us?"

It's time to save the whales -- again. Click below and forward this message to oppose the legalization of commercial whale hunting:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/whales_under_threat/?vl

Forty years ago, whales were on the brink of extinction. But thanks to a global social movement, the world banned commercial whaling in 1986. The ban is one of the environmental movement's great triumphs.

Today, whales still face many threats: not just the whalers' harpoons, but also climate change, destruction of ecosystems by overfishing and pollution, and nets intended for other fish. A renewed wave of commercial whaling could devastate these extraordinarily intelligent and social cousins of humanity. This is no time to move backwards.

With hope,

Ben, Ricken, Paula, Iain, David, Luis, and the whole Avaaz team

SITUATION ROOM

26 March – 1 May
391 Victoria St, Hamilton

 SITUATION ROOM is a 5-week experimental space, bringing together issues and solutions in our region and world. Different people are adding their knowledge and ideas to the space during this time.

The following events are free:

 23 April, Friday 5.30 – 7pm - An Economy That Works - Rod Oram and Green Drinks

25 April, Sunday Noon onwards - ANZAC Day: looking to the future

27 April, Tuesday 5.30 – 7pm - Regional Policy Statement

A far-reaching document that will affect how we live and work in the Waikato Region. Find out what it means for how we manage our resources, produce energy and develop our built environment. The drafting process is still underway and final submissions will be later this year – see how you can input into it.

28 April, Wednesday 5.30- 7pm    Eco-building – Eco-Normal
When you hear “eco-building” what do you think? … earth huts? …solar heating? …insulation? Ian Mayes shows what Eco-building really is, how you can do it, and the benefits for our health, economy and environment. There is a huge increase in the development of eco—building around New Zealand, and a large eco-building network in the Waikato Region.

2010 Green Home Workshop series

- see attached schedule of workshops

2010 green home workshop flier.doc

Engineers for Social Responsibility Waikato BOP Branch

 Tuesday 20 April 2010
Public Debate

“Mining New Zealand Heritage Areas
Should Our Generation Allow It?”

 This debate on the current Government mining policy has been requested by a number of people from a cross section of society.
Yet again our own Waikato University reveals its internationally recognised depth of expertise, in this case in knowledge of what and where NZ minerals are likely to be located and  their social and environmental heritage compared to short term use and long term economic values.

 Panel of speakers to provide an overview of the topic and contribute to the debate:

 We most warmly thank our academics for accepting our request to put forward their ample non-partisan research findings.

 Department of Earth Sciences Geologist, Dr. Roger Briggs, much in demand for his research findings, will tell us of New Zealand’s geological history, coupled to its actual and possible mineral resources. He will also provide examples of the results of past generations’ abstraction of such resources.

Law School Professor Al Gillespie, a leader in international environmental diplomacy, as shown by his legal and policy advisory roles for MFAT and DOC in addition to commissioned work for the UN and Commonwealth Secretariat along with commercial and NGOs in major countries. Al will provide the social and heritage part of the picture within which mining sits. His latest book “The illusion of progress; unsustainable development in international law” coupled with his 7 other published books and over 30 articles provide a rich basis for his presentation.

 We have invited our local members of parliament to present their party’s policies and commitments to the various vested interests along with costs and benefits to current and future generations of New Zealanders from areas carefully put aside as heritage areas by past generations and handed on for our period of stewardship.

 Green Party MP and Mining Spokesperson (Associate) Catherine Delahunty will participate.
Labour Party Senior Vice President Moira Coatsworth will participate.

 We have been advised that our Hamilton West and East MPs will not be released from Parliament to participate and the National Party cannot find a delegate to pick up the challenge.

 Prof. Frank Scrimgeour, our internationally recognised economist and ESR Branch Chairman will chair the evening.

 Time:  
5.30 – 6.00 pm  Networking
6.00 – 7.00 pm   Debate – 10 minute views and challenges from the panel members then the floor is open to all for questions and views. As with all ESR events audience members are welcome to carry on discussion after the chairman has called time at 7.00 pm!

 Venue: Room MSB 101, Waikato University Management School, Gate 7 Hillcrest Road Hamilton (The conference rooms are at the bottom of the stairs to the left of the building)

 Contact:         
Norm Stannard Secretary ESRNZ Waikato Branch tel: 07-8556579
Frank Scrimgeour Chairman ESRNZ Waikato Branch tel: 07-8562889