Wairere Falls and Swim at Okauia Hot Pools

Saturday 14th June, 8am at Waikato Uni, or 9am at Matamata. Combined with Rotorua Botanical Society.

Landcare Park, Gate 10, Waikato Uni OR 9am at Matamata at the roundabout at the SE end of the main st. (Cnr Broadway and Tower Rd).

A climb to the top of Wairere Falls rewarded with great views of the Waikato. Grade = medium. There is a 100 step staircase to go up at the base of the falls followed by a climb to the top of the falls. Bring sensible footwear, lunch, drink and togs if you wish to swim afterwards at Okauia Hot Pools.  Contact Kerry Jones 027 747 0733, www.opalhotsprings.co.nz/pools.html

"Love Your Libraries" - Feedback wanted

Go online to share your views on what you want from your library.  Hamilton City Council is wanting your input, and the deadline is June 18th, so get in now!

hamilton.govt.nz/loveyourlibraries

Transforming Business as Usual. Keynote speech from John Elkington.

MSB 1.02, Waikato Management School, Gate 7, Hillcrest Rd, Hamilton

Tuesday 10th June, 5:30pm - 7pm.

Join us to hear the pre-recorded speech from John Elkington as he identifies key challenges and opportunities for creating necesary breakthrough change, from leadership to business models. Discuss and network afterwards.  RSVP: julia@sustainable.org.nz.  Gold coin donation.

Volunteers needed this weekend

At Te Kauri Park, (near Kawhia), monitoring rat numbers

June 7th and 8th. Start time 9am.

Looking for help to set out tracking cards on Saturday and bringing back in on the Sunday. The Te Kauri Lodge is available for accommodation - bring your own food, otherwise all facilities available - Check out www.tekauri.org.nz/conservation for details.

Call Catherine if you can help for either one day or both:- work: 07 858 1034; mobile: 027 337 4337.

Meeting on HCC Decision on extra 5.1ha of land beside WNHP.

Thursday 29th May 2:30pm

Held in Council Room. Go into the Council building entrance on the left, before you are at the main entrance, and climb the first flight of stairs to the foyer of the Council Room. We will meet there.

Earlier this year the newly elected Council reversed the previous decision to place this land in the park, with a view to selling to a developer. The effects of run-off, pollution and disturbance of having a sub-division so close to the Park will be difficult to mitigate. We need people to fill the public area to either applaud the Council or voice their concerns - depending on the outcome. Contact Moira Cursey, Waikato Biodiversity Forum Co-ordinator,  m.cursey@xtra.co.nz or ph 07 846 506607 846 5066 or 027 222 3791027 222 3791. 

Megan has informed me that the Eco Home Tour has been very popular and although this Sunday's tour is no longer available, she would like you to still contact her as there may be more tours coming up in the future.

Email greenme@xtra.co.nz or phone 021 414 529.

Eco Home Tour

Sunday 25th May 1-3pm

Raglan Area.

Ellen and Kasper van der Knapp's passive house is designed and built so that it requires very little energy to maintain a 20 deg C temperature all year round. It is heated by passive heat sources - the sun, people, household appliances. Please register by emailing Megan at: greenme@xtra.co.nz

Arbor Day Planting

Friday 30th May at 10am

Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park, Brymer Rd (opposite the zoo)

The intention is to plant 30,000 native plants, including 150 young totaras.  There will be a formal welcome at 10am, with a brief speech from the Mayor, followed by a karakia. Last year over 1,500 people attended. For more info, contact Gerard Kelly, community planting co-ordinator on 07 838 650107 838 6501 or 021 286 2066021 286 2066.

Community Apple Pick

Saturday 24th May, 7:45am til 3pm

235 Morrinsville Rd, Newstead.

Community Fruit are having their annual Pink Lady Apple pick, the apples going towards food banks and other community organisations and families.This is a one-off event thanks to the orchard owner. Pickers, boxes, even trailers are needed. All welcome, for any length of time. Contact Colleen on 021 430 364 especially if you would like to secure some apples for your organisation or if you have fruit boxes you can donate.

Creating Healthy Homes Workshop

Thursday 22nd May, 9am - 12:30pm

Where: Habitat for Humanity, 29 Bryant Rd, Te Rapa

Come to this FREE workshop for some simple strategies and expert advice on making a home warmer and dryer.  Book now to ensure your place. Free off street parking available. Run by Ian Mayes, HCC Eco Design Advisor. RSVP to Ani Nock - ani.nock@hcc.govt.nz

Photographing Nature (Junats)

Friday May 23rd, 7pm

Hort Centre, Hamilton Gardens, Gate 2.

Hamilton Junior Naturalists Club. Bryce McQuillan, photographer, shows us how to improve our skills in photographing nature. Bring your camera and a torch (preferably a headlamp). Fore more info contact Dave Matthews 07 846 401307 846 4013.

Keeping Your Volunteers Safe & Productive

Wednesday 28th May, 2014 9:30am-12:30pm

Committee Room, Waipa District Council Offices,

110 Banks St, Te Awamutu.

This is a great opportunity to learn more about what other groups are doing to keep their volunteers safe - and to identify any gaps in your own processes.

If interested, contact Dave Sharp, CVNZ Safety & Training Manager. dsharp@conservationvolunteers.co.nz  Tel 027 6428230027 6428230

Getting Volunteers - and Keeping Them!

Thursday 29th May, 9:30am - 12:30pm

Ngaruawahia Community House, 13 Galileo St, Ngaruawahia.

Learn what other groups are doing to gain new volunteers, including the use of social media, and what you can do to ensure their experience is a positive one. Tea / coffee will be available.

Contact Dave Sharp, CVNZ Safety & Training Manager, dsharp@conservationvolunteers.co.nz  Tel 027 6428230027 6428230