Two opportunities to get the message across to the Government before they attend the Climate conference in Copenhagen, December 6 - 18 2009, that we expect action on Climate change.

1. 21st September - NEXT MONDAY - 5.15pm outside the library

Check out the website:  www.avaaz.org
For the local event: http://www.avaaz.org/en/sept21_rsvp/?id=136242

Avaaz members have registered a staggering 1000 events in 88 countries for next Monday's great global climate wake up call!

A thousand events is impressive, but if hundreds of thousands of us come to them on Sept... 21^st -- we'll send an historic flood of grass roots messages to world leaders meeting the next day in New York, just in time to revive dangerously flagging climate talks. Click below to RSVP.

Most are very short "flash" events - taking just 5 minutes during our lunch hour or on the way home from work. They're fun, politically powerful, and we can meet other great Avaaz people of all ages and walks of life. No preparation needed -- just come along and bring friends! The planet needs us, let's get together and save it -- click below to find an event nearby:

2. October 24th  International Day of Climate Action     http://www.350.org/
What is the Day of Action?

We're calling on people around the world to organize an action on October 24 incorporating the number 350 at an iconic place in their community, and then upload a photo of their event to 350.org website.

We'll collect these images from around the world and, with your help, deliver them to the media and world leaders. Together, we can show our world and its decision-makers just how big, beautiful, and unified the climate movement really is.

If you are interested in being involved in an action in Hamilton contact the Environment Centre. There is a group already started. Otherwise look on the website and register your own action.

Free film screening of Your Mommy Kills Animals, featuring SHAC7.
At Waimarie Community Centre
53 Wellington Street, Hamilton East
 
7pm Wednesday 16th September
This documentary follows the court case of the 7 members of one of the most successful animal rights groups in USA. SHAC stands for Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty. Huntingdon Life Sciences are an international contract vivisection company. The film focuses on the methods used by the activists and the legal system and mainstream assesment of their actions.
 
This is one of the best human rights films I've seen. Vegan nibbles provided after.
Tom Elliot

Hi Everyone,

Conservation Week has started - here is something you can do!
Sponsor a bag -This is a really productive way to help a local sports team, plus clear some of the last patches of Tradescantia from Jubilee Bush. Many of these students have already been helping out voluntarily at Barrett Bush, so it would be great if the environmental community can support them. Catherine is an active member of Tui 2000 and is also on ACRE, so it is encouraging to see young people becoming involved in environmental inititiatives, and they deserve our support, so please contact Catherine or deposit straight to their bank account
Pdf attached if the the image is not clear enough.

hockey.flier.pdf

Saturday 12th September - E-day! Dont forget to take along your unwanted e-stuff to 29 Bryant Rd, Te Rapa 9am - 3pm.

Only computer related stuff, (computers, screens, printers, cellphones, not TVs, stereos, appliances, furniture)

Sunday 13 September
Maungatautari Conservation Week Event

To celebrate Conservation Week and our native flora, the Maungatautari Trust is offering a variety of free guided botany walks in the southern enclosure led by renowned botanists Professor Bruce Clarkson and Dr Bruce Burns and local ecologist Roger MacGibbon. Walks will run on the hour and half hour from 10.00am to 2.30pm. Also free photography lesson guided walks from local wildlife photographer Phil Brown on the hour from 10.00am until 2.00pm - bring your camera, notebook and pen. All welcome.
Location: Maungatautari's southern enclosure, Tari Road, (off Arapuni Road) Pukeatua
Contact: Linley O'Neill Phone 07 823 7455

Thursday 17th September
Forest and Bird talk

Greg Martin, Waikato Conservator will give an overview of the work carried out by the Department of Conservation during 2008/9. He does an excellent slide show presentation which opens the public’s eyes to the range and significance of DoC’s work.
Also, Kristina Hillock, Conservancy Technical Officer Marine, will speak about the Experiencing Marine Reserves programme and answer questions on Marine Issues.
Venue: Chartwell Room, Hamilton Gardens Pavilion: 7.30 pm.

Sunday 20th September
Environmental Film Festival

The first of 5 sessions of the Hamilton Reel Earth Environmental Film Festival. For all the movies check out the Environment Centre website www.envirocentre.org.nz or pick up a brochure from the Centre.
Victoria Cinema, 7pm. Bookings phone 838 3036
Three great movies all for $12:

Lessons from a Melting Icecap (38mins) Directed by Jinty McTavish
Three schoolgirls journey to the UK and then to Greenland to encounter a 1.8 million sq kilometre icecap.
Whetu Rere - The Sea Lion and the Comet (24 mins) Best NZ Film
On New Zealand's Otago coast, the world's rarest species of sea lion is making a tentative comeback. Quietly told, poignant tale of a Mum's latest pup, whose grasp on life is tenuous and fragile.
Karearea The Pine Falcon (49mins) NZ 2008 Winner Reel Earth Awards Director's Merit Award.
Spectacular footage of wild NZ falcons, remarkably filmed by one person, Sandy Crichton, whose energy does justice to the wildness of the birds. A beautiful, informative and moving film, excellently presented with drama, humour and poignancy.
See attached pdf for full list of 5 sessions.

flier2-1.pdf

Also don't forget to check out the DoC website for other activities around the region - especially the guided walks to Waireinga (Bridal Veil Falls) 1 and 3pm from Wed 16th to Sunday 20th September. Contact Jack de Thierry 07 850 8438 or 0274 385 044

Celebrating Conservation Week

Conservation Week, celebrated nationally between 13 - 20 September, gives all New Zealanders the chance to get actively involved in conservation.

Waireinga / Bridal Veil Falls will be the focus for staff from the Waikato Area Office encouraging the public to visit and enjoy the new developments and raise their awareness about the conservation values at this site.
Te Papa Atawhai staff are planning free guided walks for the public on:

• Wednesday 16            1pm – 3pm
• Thursday 17                 1pm – 3pm
• Friday 18                      1pm – 3pm
• Saturday 19                  1pm – 3pm
• Sunday 20                    1pm – 3pm

More than 50,000 people visit this spectacular, 55m free fall waterfall each year.  The site has unique volcanic rock formation complemented by exceptional views from several specially designed viewing platforms.

The walking track upgrade in 2008 to wheel-chair and push-chair standard, from the visitor car park to the top viewing platforms is also a feature.  Three new viewing platforms were also constructed during the upgrade to allow people in wheel chairs to enjoy the spectacular views.
The well designed viewing structures at the base of the falls will be open for public to view and enjoy.  Interpretation panels profiling forest and stream ecology, geology and cultural values will enhance the recreational experience for visitors.
Waireinga Scenic Reserve is the most visited scenic attraction (>50,000) on public conservation land in the Waikato Area.  Unfortunately the forest condition and native animal life are in a poor state due to the effects that pest animals (rats, possums, goats, pigs) have had on this environment over time.  Waikato Area staff commenced the first stage of a possum control programme late last year.  By controlling possums and other pests down to low densities, we will witness an improvement in the forest condition and greater abundance of native bird species.

To register your interest contact:
Jack de Thierry
Programme Manager - Community Relations
Kaiwhakahaere- Hāpori Hononga
Department of Conservation
Waikato Area Office
Te Rapa, Hamilton
Ph: 07 850 8438
0274 385 044
jdethierry@doc.govt.nz

WAO Cons week poster screen.pdf

Green Drinks this month is being presented by the NZ Association for Environmental Education in a Cafe Scientifique slot. The topic is "The Role of Nature in our cities and towns".

So come to The Bank Tuesday 8th September, 7.30 or earlier if you want to grab a meal first.

Attached is a poster to put up around your workplaces. See you there!

Green Cafe Scientifique Sept 8.pdf

29th August Reminder - This Saturday morning

9 - 12 Friends of Waiwhakareke (Horseshoe Lake)
working morning, meet Baverstock Road sign. This is the first of a regular monthly working morning, last Saturday of the month, so come along, bring a spade, gloves, gumboots might be good this week. for more info http://www.waiwhakareke.co.nz/index.php

5th September - Sustainable Building Workshop No 2
Water

Ben Thompson, Kapiti Coast District Council Water Use Coordinator, will look at ways to reduce your water usage in the home, how to harvest and store rainwater for domestic water usage or garden usage, onsite disposal of grey and black water, and reed bed gardens. Representatives from local authorities will discuss what is practical and permitted in their relevant areas.

$20 per person

Anyone interested in attending please contact Megan Edmeades
grEEnme Environmental Education Services
M 021 414 529
P 07 884 6825
E greenme@xtra.co.nz

Cafe Scientifique

Tuesday 8th September

The role of nature in our cities and towns
presented by NZ Association for Environmental Education
7.30 at The Bank corner Victoria and Hood Sts.

Today’s increasingly urban lifestyles mean that many people are losing their connection to the natural environment. Urban development often seems to focus on maximising economic return ahead of quality of life. These imperatives lead us to question the importance of incorporating natural spaces in our urban landscapes, and to consider what compromises we can seek to get a balance between economics, community and our environment.
This second Green Cafe will examine these issues by bringing three leading Hamilton experts together to discuss the environmental, social and economic aspects of urban development.
Our speakers are: Associate Professor Bruce Clarkson, Department of Biological Science and The University of Waikato who will discuss the environmental aspects using examples of Waiwhakareke (Horseshoe Lake) and Hamilton gullies. Tim Newton, Environmental Policy Advisor (Strategic Group) at Hamilton City Council who will discuss the social aspects using the Hamilton gully system as an example. Gerry Kessels, Consulting Ecologist, Kessels and Associates who will discuss the economic aspects drawing on his experience of consulting on large infrastructure and residential development projects.

For more information see attached poster or for info about future Cafés in Hamilton, contact Tina Lewis
Phone 838 4625, e-mail science@waikato.ac.nz
http://www.sci.waikato.ac.nz/cafescientifique

Green Cafe Scientifique Sept 8.pdf

Attached are some messages about the Government's action to remove councils' right to include general tree protection rules in district plans.

Clause 52 of the RMA amendment inserts a specific clause relating to district rules not to provide for the protection of trees or groups of trees in an urban environment unless listed identified in a district plan schedule.

Auckland councils' have had more district plan general urban tree protection provisions than those councils' in the Waikato Region. If the current legislation is passed as is Hamilton City people will not have the opportunity to consider such provision when the next district plan review commences in 2010. (The NZ Arboricultural Assn submission is attached for more info)

ACTION IS NEEDED NOW - IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO START WRITING NOW (if you haven't already!) and please pass this on to others who might be also be interested

It is expected that the government will put this Bill through the final parliamentary process as soon as possible - possibly starting on Thursday 27th August, with the critical final voting stage possibly on the 8th or 9th September (there is a week's recess in between).

We urgently need people to write letters NOW to MPs and to their local newspapers to help influence the final decision. There is also talkback radio.

The Labour Party and the Greens already oppose this Clause, so it is best to target National (in particular), Maori and United Party MPs. If you live in an electorate with a National MP, please write directly to them, voicing your concerns, saying you are a constituent.

Our local MPs emails are:
tim.macindoemp@parliament.govt.nz
david.bennett@national.org.nz

PLEASE ASK THEM TO REMOVE CLAUSE 52 OR SUPPORT AMENDMENTS TO IMPROVE THE EXISTING TREE PROTECTION SYSTEM.

Here are some points you could include (a couple more added from earlier Alert):
* government ignored large proportion of submitters who objected to this Clause

* Options are available from the NZ Arboricultural Association that will save time, money and the environment without removing general urban tree protection (see below** for a broad outline as conveyed to MPs at the Select Committee stage, but were ignored)

* once law, developers will be able to clear fell a site and not have to replace any lost trees through replanting

* many trees will be cut down as soon as it becomes law

* with development pressure so great in the Auckland region, there will be increasing number of sites with little or no tree cover for shade, screening or visual amenity - any trees planted will be of a size that will take decades to provide such functions

* listing, or scheduling, of trees in the District Plan, as the only permissible means of protecting trees, is costly, time consuming and very limited

* listing, or scheduling, will potentially involve more cost and council staff time than administration of current tree protection rules

* the well recognised and diverse functions and values of trees, clearly identify trees as being of community value, and need to be taken into account as well as that of an individual property right

* NZ risks losing its international clean green image that it has worked hard to promote and could negatively affect tourism.
You can also look at The Tree Council's pages for more comprehensive ideas.

**(from the NZ Arboricultural Association) Improvements to the existing system (i.e. not prohibiting general urban tree protection) include:-
* Lifting the permitted baseline (requirement for a resource consent) and allowing a higher level of activities – like pruning – to go ahead without the need for a consent (based on additional criteria, for example, utilising ‘approved contractor’ provisions or similar),
* Allowing a greater level of delegation, so that the appropriate council officers can sign off on the majority of consents, therefore reducing the level of staff involvement,
* Allowing on-site, instant, carbonated or electronic decisions,
* Standardising some of the rules (i.e. the “super city” concept),
* Increased efficiency through a review of the internal council processes and administration procedures.

RMA_Submission09.pdf