PLEASE NOTE: At this time (Monday 10 October 2011) Maritime NZ's Oiled Wildlife Response Unit has been overwhelmed with responses and is not seeking further volunteers to assist with the oil spill resulting from the grounding of container vessel Rena on Astrolabe reef near Tauranga.  Please DO NOT call Jim Lilley on 0275 387 566 - this line must open for operational calls.  Please forward this notification to anyone to who you may have provided Jim Lilley’s number. 

If the oil spill situation worsens then further calls from Maritime NZ for assistance may occur.

Maritime NZ provides the most up-to-date reports of the Rena ship stranding and the response, and information as to how members of the public can assist.

Callers with information for the oil spill response team can telephone 0800 OIL SPILL (0800 645 774). Members of the public with information on oiled wildlife should call 0800 333 771.

Please note, we (the Waikato Environment Centre) will endeavour to update you regarding the spill as new information becomes available. However we are unable to register your interest in volunteering - we recommend you contact Maritime NZ directly.

http://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/Incident/default.asp

http://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/news/media-releases-2011/20111007c.asp

Establishing an email group for Waikato Community Gardens

Joy Maxwell from Hamilton Organic Groups (HOGs) garden is interested in establishing an email list for Waikato people involved in community gardens or supporting them, and also arranging group visits to gardens (in addition to the twice-yearly Waikato Community Garden Network meetings).  If you would like to be included in the email list, please contact joy.maxwell@slingshot.co.nz 

On 5 October 2011 container vessel Rena struck Astrolabe reef 12 nautical miles off Tauranga and is leaking large amounts of oil.

New Zealand Wildlife Health Centre is calling for volunteers to assist in the recovery and rehabilitation of oiled wildlife.  Significant numbers of volunteers are required immediately and over a prolonged period of time.  You work will be paid, and as such will be subject to the Centre’s health and safety plan.

New Zealand Wildlife Health Centre is looking for a wide range of skills including field biologists, helping with the recovery and rehabilitation of birds, driving a vehicle to transport oiled wildlife, administrative tasks.  These are just examples of how you can help.  There will be something you can do!  Please call Jim Lilley  0275 387 566 for further information on how you can help.

A number of oiled birds (dead and alive) that have already been recovered, as well as an oiled seal on Papamoa beach.  New Zealand Wildlife Health Centre  is gearing up to respond to a significant number of animals affected by the oil spill, so please do respond if you are able.

Community Garden Development Day

Thursday 27 October 2011

Salvation Army Centre, 180 Grand View Road, Grandview, Hamilton

Richard Main (Project Manager, Gardens4Health Auckland (http://www.dpt.org.nz/Grdn4health/grdn4health.html ) supports groups to set up and run community gardens.  Richard holds qualifications in gardening and teaching, and over 35 years of gardening experience.   Gardens4Health have support from the three Auckland health boards and the Ministry of Health, and also teach a blend of permaculture, biodynamics and organics.  Stakeholders exceed 86 organisations, including community gardens and organisations wanting to support community garden projects such as Oxfam, Habitat for Humanity, and local businesses. 

Schedule:

• 11am - 12noon: Garden4Health community garden profile, and “Guidelines For Establishing a Community Garden” seminar
• 12 noon – 1.15pm:  Lunch forum (please bring a plate): G4H Experiences and Views Forum – Issues, Observations, Trends, Outcomes.
• 1.15pm - 4pm-ish - Site analysis and opportunities to explore wetland and rain garden concepts using ornamental and edible plants, possibly also discuss weed ID and management - using the Salvation Army proposed community garden site (afternoon tea provided)

Free entry. You are welcome to attend any (or all) sessions. 

First and third sessions will appeal to people starting gardens.

Seminar, Guidelines for Establishing a Community Garden, covers strategic planning, funding, legal, allotment agreements, strategic planning, legal issues, allotment agreements, liability insurance, and the make-up of a core leadership team. 

Lunchtime session is of broader interest. 

Bee-Keeping for Beginners – practical workshop with Marcia Meehan

10am, Sunday 16 October 2011

Location: Locavore; 67 Pukerimu Lane, Cambridge

Numbers limited to 12 people. $60 pp (includes light lunch)

Workshop will include information about:

• Different types of hives
• Pests & diseases
• Extracting honey
• Planting for healthy bees
• Resources and more information

To book please cut & paste the form below into an email, complete the information, and return with your your direct banking credit confirmation, to: alison@locavore.co.nz

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Name/s:

Home phone:

Mobile phone: 

Number of people attending:

Amount Paid:

I/we accept and agree with the Terms of Trade set out below. Please tick here: â–¡

Direct bank credit: Westpac Bank, 030255 0221745 00. Please reference Workshop 161011.  Bookings will not be accepted without a payment.

Terms of Trade: Bookings will not be accepted without full payment. Bookings will be confirmed by email to the address from which they came. If you are attending with others, please forward the confirmation email to them. The workshop will go ahead rain, hail or shine. We reserve the right to refuse bookings. No refunds will be made for cancellations made after Wednesday 12 October 2011. The practical skills undertaken in this workshop can be hazardous; Locavore Ltd and its staff accept no responsibility for injury, loss or damage to attendees or their property. You accept that your attendance is at your own risk.

Seed and seedling swap tomorrow (Thursday 5 October 2011), 5.30pm, 20 Kitchener Street, Hamilton.

All welcome.