Hi there,
The Environment Centre is needing a few volunteers. If you can help please contact Katherine at the centre, or phone 839 4452.

1. Community Radio presenters for Environment Matters

We have a community radio slot, Wednesday 5 - 6, for which we need presenters. This is a chance to showcase your group, promote environmental issues. Training is given and it is not too difficult, and good experience. If there are no offers the show will stop.

2. Saturday February 28th  - Good Life Expo - Hamilton Gardens Festival
I need some help on the Environment Centre stand. This is a fun day, just talking to the public, handing out info, some composting knowledge an advantage, but not essential

3. Thursday March 26th
Helper wanted at our Community Group Expo which is on from 10 - 4. We need someone with a valid license, and is happy meeting and greeting and helping attendees.

4.  Thursday March 26th
Balloons on the Waikato - Dawn Patrol - Hamilton Lake

I need some helpers to be up early in the morning to give out potato plates at the breakfast and monitor our organic waste bins. Again a fun event, get a free breakfast and usually some leftovers. See the balloons taking off.
Anyone welcome, all ages!

5. Saturday March 28th evening - Earth Hour

The Environment Centre will have our energy glowworm at the afternoon as part of the build up to Earth Hour which will be on at 8.30, and at the Night glow (before 8.30)- we need some young bods who would love to be in the costume to hand out information. No talking required. Need a few as it gets quite hot in there. You need to be average height and build.

Thanks, Katherine

CLIMATE CHANGE.... and what we can do about it

About this course

Climate change is a pertinent and long-term global environmental issue.  The Resource Management (Energy and Climate Change) Amendment Act 2004, in New Zealand, requires particular regard be given to the effects of climate change.

This course provides an interdisciplinary understanding to assess impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate variability and change.  It is designed for practitioners and others who would like to build their capacity in understanding and assessing effects and possible responses to climate change.

Content:

Lecture 1:  Overview of the Science of Climate Change, Professor Martin Manning, Victoria University

Lecture 2:  Sea-level rise and community response to coastal hazards, Dr Doug Ramsey, NIWA, Hamilton

Lecture 3: Projections of Future Climate Change, Dr David Wratt, NIWA, Wellington

Lecture 4: Biodiversity/Conservation and Climate Change, Dr Matt McGlone, Landcare Research, Christchurch

Lecture 5: Drought risk and climate change, Dr Jim Salinger, NIWA, Auckland

Lecture 6: Class forum on climate change agriculture & energy, Professor Janet Bornman, Director, International Global Change Institute, University of Waikato

Course details:

·        Lectures:  Mondays, 7.00pm-9.00pm, 2^nd March to 4^th May 2009 to be held at RS5, Ruakura Satellite Campus, 21 Ruakura Road, Hamilton

·        Practical modelling workshop: Saturday, 21 March 2009, 9.00am-12 noon to be held in F Block, Room F.1.14

·        Restricted to 16 participants.

·        Cost:  $140.00

Contact details:

Enrolment details:                                               Course information:

Bev Collison                                                          Liza Storey

Phone:  07 858 5229                                              Phone: 838 4466 ext 7607

Email: Beverley@waikato.ac.nz                         Email: igciliza@waikato.ac.nz

Tomorrow - reminder Trust Waikato Funding Roadshow at Hamilton Gardens 10 - 4pm.

Workshops  - Animal Pest Management and Safe Working in the Bush, 22nd Feb and 18th March
Waikato Biodiversity Forum/Biodiversity Advice Waikato
A Workshop is available to provide information and training to conservation community groups and individuals to encourage personal safety and correct use of resources while carrying out animal pest control.
Choice of two venues:
22nd February 2009 West Waikato at Pirongia School Hall, Pirongia,  Time 9.15am-2.35pm
OR 18th March 2009 Thames at Kauaeranga Visitors Centre, Thames. Time 9.15am-2.35pm

This Workshop is an opportunity for you to:-
· learn from qualified people about the most effective way to control animal pests in your backyard or your favourite indigenous area
· learn how to be safe in the forest
· share various options and ideas that have been found to be effective
* have fun and share ideas with others who undertake conservation related work
* bring a carload of volunteers/contractors involved with your conservation community group.

Contact Janice Hoverd, Biodiversity Advice Waikato

Ph 0800246 348 email biodiv  at   bioforum.org.nz

At Hamilton Gardens, in conjunction with the Right Bank Arts Festival and Summer Festival. Hear Linda Hallinan speaking at 2pm. Bring all the family for a fun day, animals, food, entertainment.
Any community groups or organisations wanting stalls please contact Cheryl, 834 2249. Some spaces still available.

Seaweek 2009 One Ocean - it starts with me

Thursday March 5th NZAEE Seaweek
As part of Seaweek, the Waikato Branch of NZAEE (NZ Assn for Environmental Education) are hosting an evening at Chartwell Room Hamilton Gardens, starting 6pm.
Hamilton's link with the ocean is the Waikato River. Come and hear a variety of speakers on issues and perspectives surrounding the River and the community along its banks. More details to come.
For more information please contact Katherine at the Environment Centre, 839 4452.

Sunday 1st March Earth Ocean and Environment Trail
10.30  - 4pm

Follow our Earth, Ocean & Environment Trail to learn about the environment of our region - you are welcome to visit any of the stops we have prepared, where experts from Waikato University will explain the landforms, discuss the environment, and answer your questions.
For more info www.earth.waikato.ac.nz or pick up a brochure from the Environment Centre, or phone Sydney Wright 07 838 4024

Sunday 1st of March 2009 from 9.30 - 2.30 the Whaingaroa Environment Centre together with Raglan Community House and Xtreme Waste are starting Seaweek by holding  'Maui Dolphin Day & the Xtreme Raft Race - A National

Children's Day Event'.  The theme of the day is connecting people to the ocean. It is a celebration and awareness raising of the Raglan marine environment and includes free fun activities for children and families, with a water focus. We are promoting the importance and value of our
harbour, its waters and all the life, marine and human, that lives in and around it.

This year there with be lots of family fun and a focus on members of the community sharing their skills: Raglan Kayaks will hold a raft building workshop and a local flax weaver will be providing some hands on learning.  There will be our Waka Ama club taking people for a paddle, Te
Roopu Aroha kit e Reo will perform Kapa Haka, school children will perform the Maui dolphin song, a local classic, and other Raglan celebrities will provide musical entertainment.  Food will be available provided by the
Raglan Kindergarten and Kohanga Reo.
We will again be having a Sand Sculpture Competition, displays from the children's  Art competition and the famous and really enjoyable Xtreme Raft Race.  Bring your family and enjoy a special Raglan event. If you would like any further information contact the Whaingaroa
Environment Centre on 07 8250480 or email us at wenvc@kol.co.nz.

26th March Environmental Community Group Expo

at Hamilton Gardens - useful day for all community groups, interesting speakers, food, networking so put it in your diary. Registrations are essential. Contact Rachael 021 261 5759 or email rachael@envirocentre.org.nz

28th March
EARTH HOUR! 8.30 - 9.30pm

Hamilton joins the world in raising awareness of Global warming - lots more to come.
Watch this space for heaps of exciting events, tying in with the Balloons Nightglow.

25 - 29th March Balloons over the Waikato

Stream Research - opportunity to win $200 worth of groceries
The purpose of this research is to find out what features YOU value about urban streams. Do you think it is worthwhile protecting and restoring Hamilton streams?

Please take a moment to look at the information about Hamilton streams and the sources of pollution and environmental damage. Then fill in the survey to have your say.  300 people are needed to fill in the online survey. Please go to the website and check it out. There are 2 prizes of $200 grocery vouchers to be won.Please forward this email to everyone you know in or near Hamilton

www.hamiltonstreams.webhop.org

Lots of events are planned for 2009.....

Don't miss the FREE Environmental Community Group Expo coming up on 26th March at the Hamilton Gardens. This will be a very beneficial day for non profit environmental groups wanting free advise and tools on how to operate, as well as a great networking opportunity. There will be a series of workshops on; writing for the media, how to organise a community event, basic accounting, legal information, sustaining your organisaiton, funding information and recruiting your volunteers.

Who will be there? EW, DoC, HCC, IRD, Charities Commission, Trust Waikato, Bizworks, Landcare Trust, Volunteering Waikato, DIA, Rob Hamill, Jeff Neems and more to be confirmed.

Registrations are essential. Contact Rachael 021 261 5759 or email rachael@envirocentre.org.nz

Volunteering Waikato is bringing Martin J Cowling back to Hamilton on February 27th for a workshop on: The 4 R's of Volunteerism: Recruitment, Recognition, Rewards and Renewal.

For more information about Martin, visit his website: www.pfts.com.au

Last year this workshop filled up fast, so if you are keen to attend, please get your registration form and payment in - don't miss out!!

Contact Heather Kemp, Volunteering Waikato
07 839 3191 Fax: 07 839 7987

Road Shows 2009

Trust Waikato is coming to a town near you...

Trust Waikato staff are out and about in the community this month with a series of Road Shows.

They want to ensure that community organisations know where and how to access funding.

The Trust Waikato Road Show will be in:

Tokoroa 10am -12noon

28th Jan South Waikato Artspace

Leith St.

Putaruru 2-3pm

28th Jan Putaruru Plaza

Kensington St

Huntly 10am-12noon

30th Jan Riverside Rooms

Main St.

Te Aroha 2-3pm

30th Jan St John's Ambulance Centre

Burgess St.

Hamilton 10-4pm

3rd Feb Funding Expo

Hamilton Garden Pavilion

Thames 10am-12noon

10th Feb Baptist Centre

Mary St.

Waihi 2-3pm

10th Feb Waihi Memorial Hall

Seddon St.

To find out more about Trust Waikato funding visit: www.trustwaikato.co.nz or call 0800 436 628, or contact:
Sandra Larsen 07 838 2660

Hi everyone,

We want to raise people's awareness about the 10-year strategic plan we're developing.We've conducted a formal survey to find out where people's priorities lie, and now we're inviting others to share their views too.

We've made a discussion forum especially for the campaign called Your Waikato, and want the whole world (well, all of Waikato) to know about it and give us their view on what EW should focus on for the next 10 years.

So if you can let your networks know that www.yourwaikato.co.nz is out there waiting for their responses that'd be super.

Once you've surfed onto the page you can read the content as you want, and if you wish to post new messages you may be asked to logon with your Google account. If you don't have one you'll be prompted and can just follow the instructions on how to join up - and you'll be away!

Thanks,

Louise Angeby-Smith | Web/Copy Editor | Communications
Environment Waikato
P: +64 7 859 0878
F: +64 7 859 0998
PO Box 4010, Hamilton East 3247

Streamcare working bee
Just a reminder that there is a working bee with the Mangakotukutuku Stream Care group next weekend.
see link http://www.streamcare.org.nz/
3:00-4:30 pm 13 December - Weeding; meet at Waterford Rd entrance

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Green Drinks reminder - this Friday at the Cook in Hamilton East, from 5.30pm.

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Wanted - possum teeth
A science student doing a masters at University is wanting possum teeth - 3 - 10 possums per region. If you can help please contact Katherine at the Environment Centre.

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2009

Good Life Expo
Register now, stall spaces filling up rapidly, or put it in your diary now so you don't miss it.
Earlybird rates for trade before end of December.
Being held on the 28th February 2009, in conjunction with the Hamilton Gardens Festival.
Linda Hallinan speaking, interesting sustainable trade stalls and workshops, chooks, goats, alpacas etc, great family day.
Contact Cheryl, 834 2249

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COURSES

Climate Change Adaptation

This is a graduate paper we are running called Climate Change Adaptation (ENVS522), which will be offered again in Semester A, 2009.

The University of Waikato online Calendar has further enrolment information at: http://www.waikato.ac.nz/student/.
There will be a series of guest lectures by experts in the field of climate change and adaptation, and from IGCI (12 lectures in all); plus a 3-day intensive lab session (April 16th-18th,09 focusing on integrated assessment modelling); and internal assessment. Places are restricted to 16 students and enrolment has now begun.

Liza P. Storey
Research Officer
International Global Change Institute (IGCI)
University of Waikato
Private Bag 3105
Hamilton, New Zealand
Ph: +64 7 838 4466 extn 7607
Fax: +64 7 858 5689
website: www.waikato.ac.nz/igci

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Organic Gardening
March 18th to April 8th
Presented by the Hamilton Permaculture Trust
Wednesday mornings 10 to 12 noon
Wednesday evenings 6 to 8pm
Held at Waimarie Community House, 53 Wellington St, Hamilton East.
Enquiries and bookings phone Cheryl 834 2249
Learn the basics of planning your garden site to maintaining a well balanced vegetable garden. Covers composting and wormfarming, natural pest control, companion planting, rotational planting, seed saving and lunar planting.

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Rongoa Maori - traditional Maori medicine

If there is one easy thing you can do for the environment, and for your health this is it!

In the Herald today - nzherald.co.nz

Subsidy aims to keep homes warm and dry
4:00AM Monday Dec 01, 2008

More New Zealand homes will be warm and dry next winter because of an insulation funding programme.

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority said more than 900,000 homes had inadequate or no insulation.

Many were so cold and damp in winter that they fell below temperatures recommended by the World Health Organisation.

The authority is giving qualifying homeowners the opportunity to get a third off the cost of insulation and other energy-efficiency measures, capped at $1125.

Apart from the health implications, insulation also helps conserve energy by keeping more warm air inside.

Homeowners can apply for the grant to cover some of the insulation costs, or for subsidised interest on loans to carry out the work. To qualify their house must be built before 2000, and the homeowner's annual income must be less than $100,000 for one or two earners, or less than $140,000 for three or more earners.