In this newsletter:
Tuesday August 27 - National WetlandTrust AGM
Thursday 29th August - Public meeting
Community Post closing 31 August
Saturday 31st - Waiwhakareke working day
Saturday 31st - Threatened Plant collection working bee
Monday 2nd September - Waikato BotSoc talk “Gardening for wildlife"
Sunday 8th September - Te Pahu Landcare Group Planting Day
And don't forget to join us on Meetup! Anyone in the Waikato who is interested in conservation on Meetup will be able to see your events.
Tuesday 27th August
Reminder: National Wetland Trust walk and AGM
Just a reminder of the NWT AGM (5pm) preceded by a tour inside the pest fence at Lake Serpentine/Rotopiko (3pm) to see the new boardwalk and results of recent planting and weed control.
AGM - Te Rahu Hall, 2226 Te Rahu Rd, Te Awamutu
The latest newsletter is on the web.
With the many generous donations with subs this year after our appeal for help with the Rotopiko/Serpentine restoration we are going to put some funds towards a reptile survey to see what wonderful little lizards and gorgeous geckos might be hanging on at the wetland site ready to burst in numbers when the pests go later this year.
Thursday 29th August
A PUBLIC MEETING – ALL WELCOME
Rex Bushell is holding a public meeting to present two discussion papers, one on dedicated cycle ways based on the Portland, Oregon model and the other on restructuring the management of city water and waste water. If you are concerned about the introduction of water meters to Hamilton you will be interested in this paper.
The meeting is being held at the Baptist community centre, 1101 Heaphy Tce, starting at 7.30pm. www.sustainablehamilton.co.nz
Community Post and Wel Energy applications closing August 31
Saturday 31 August 2013
Waiwhakareke Monthly working day 9am - midday
Meet at Gate 3 about 300m past the Zoo on the right.
We will be infill planting the semi swamp area planted in 2008. Bring GUMBOOTS, a spade and morning tea. It would be great if you can let me know if you are coming by Thursday 29 August so we can organise the right amount of plants to be onsite. And it would be great if there was a good turn out for this planting.
Contact Moira - m.cursey@xtra.co.nz
Saturday 31st August
Threatened Plant collection working bee
A working bee to tidy up the new threatened plant garden. Please bring gloves, old clothes and boots for weeding, planting and propagating activities.
Meet: 10am at the garden, Waikato University Gate 8, Hillcrest Rd, outside Science and Engineering entrance E-F link stairway.
Contact: Liz Overdyck ph 07 825 9743 eg3@waikato.ac.nz
Monday September 2nd
Waikato Botanical Society talk
“Gardening for wildlife – gardens as a restoration tool” Brain Cutting
Waikato Environment Centre at 25 Ward Street from 5.30 - 7 pm.
Worldwide, butterflies and moths are in trouble. 2/3 of moth species in Britain are in sharp decline, and in 2013 the North American monarch butterfly population plummeted to the lowest levels ever recorded. This has left people wondering: ‘what can we do?’
Brian will discuss his own research quantifying the response of monarchs to artificial habitat in residential areas. He will also discuss the status of the monarch butterfly in NZ, and why insect conservation is critically important (and fascinating!) The way that we choose to landscape around our homes has a substantial effect on butterflies and months. Brian will talk about things we can do to make our yards useful to insets, and the plants and animals that depend on them.
About Brian: Brian Cutting is an entomologist and photography enthusiast who moved from the east coast of the U.S. to New Zealand in 2013. Brian has a Bachelors Degree in biology, and a Master's degree in Entomology, from the University of Delaware where he studied under Dr. Douglas Tallamy. Here he developed an interest in making human dominated landscapes useful to wildlife. His thesis research focused on how monarch butterfly populations are affected by butterfly gardens.
Along with his research with monarchs, Brian worked on several research projects evaluating insect use of native and alien plants. He has led projects quantifying wildlife use of riparian corridors, and surveying wild bird populations for West Nile Virus. He has experience in pest control and natural areas management. More recently, Brian worked on biological control of the invasive Brown Marmorated Stink Bug with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
In New Zealand, Brian has been involved with several projects quantifying invertebrate communities – from those in canopy epiphytes in native bush, to those in artificial ponds in pasture areas.
Enquires please contact: Cynthia Roberts, croberts@doc.govt.nz; 07 8581034
Sunday 8th September
Te Pahu Landcare Group Planting Day
This year the group is planting along the Kaniwhaniwha Stream's true right bank. They would love some help.
Meet at the Kaniwhaniwha Reserve carpark at 9am. Spades provided but bring your own if you like. Sausage sizzle and a hot/cold drink provided by DoC back at the carpark at lunchtime. Contact Nardene.berry@landcare.org.nz or 07 825 9112
