PERMACULTURE DESIGN CERTIFICATE COURSE AT SOLSCAPE IN RAGLAN
Kia ora, in October 2015 we offer our second Permaculture Design Certificate Course at Solscape in Raglan, New Zealand. This 2-week intensive learning experience will deliver participants their Permaculture Design Certificates while exploring the ideas of Designing for Change.
The course starts at October 4th and finishes at Ocotber 18th this year. The tutors are Rick Thorpe, Liz Stanway and the Raglan Permaculture Community.
http://www.solscape.co.nz/2015-spring-permaculture-certification/
Chris from the Solscape Team
LAND USE SWAP FOR HELP MAINTAINING GARDEN
Is anyone interested in using a large area of land (approx. 1/8th of an acre) on a property (currently lawn) in the Snell Drive area with the view to helping Mary maintain the rest of her garden area
Please contact: maggymoo69@hotmail.com
FOREST & BIRD SUNDAY 13th SEPTEMBER
Explore Waikato Wetlands South of Hamilton
Meet at 9.00am on the east side of the railway line where it crosses Collins Rd, Melville. We will convoy to Lake Koromatua. Keith Smith of Hamilton Fish and Game Association will lead us around the lake and tell us about the restoration work. The second lake is Kareaotahi (Cameron) off Rukuhia Rd. The Care group here has also been planting and controlling pests for many years and has made a pleasant walk around this small lake. John Pretty from the Lake Care group will meet us. We will contribute to the on-going care of this reserve by releasing some recently planted trees (for about an hour, and if anyone would like to volunteer further there is blackberry to remove). The third lake we'll visit is Rotopiko or L. Serpentine which has a predator proof fence and plans for a Wetlands Information Centre.
Easy walking and suitable for families. Gumboots a good idea, particularly if it's been wet in the preceding days; gardening gloves for pulling weeds. Bring lunch and water bottles etc.
Email, phone or text Jane McLeod if you are interested in going and to offer/request a ride. jane.mcleod64@gmail.com); 078562505; 0211467789
Dactylanthus Training Wednesday 26th August
Pirongia Te Aroaro o Kahu Restoration Society is embarking on a project in conjunction with DoC to protect and expand populations of Dactylanthus taylorii on Mt Pirongia. Volunteers plan to learn from professionals who have worked with the species and developed skills in monitoring flowering, hand pollination and sowing seed in order to better protect the existing populations near the summit of Pirongia, to search for populations which may exist but haven’t yet been found, and to establish new populations at more accessible sites on the mountain.
Dactylanthus is New Zealand’s only fully parasitic flowering plant. Not only is it an intriguing species, it is thought to be an important ecosystem driver; the large quantities of nectar its flowers produce being an important food source.
The first of PRS’ training field trips is to be held this coming Wed 26th August at Pureora. Thomas Emmitt of DoC Te Kuiti will take us to Dactlyanthus clumps and show us how to assess seed set. If any of your members would be interested in helping PRS with this project and would like to join this trip please contact Clare St Pierre: clare.stpierre@gmail.com
Lake Areare Planting Days 3rd, 4th and 5th September
10am onwards
Meet at Driver Rd entrance Planting will kick off at 10am each day and everyone is welcome to come on any of the days that may suit them. Bring spade, lunch and gumboots (spades also provided)
UPCOMING WEEDING BLIZZ ALONG KANIWHANIWHA STREAM
There is transport available from a central place in Hamilton
The first option is Saturday 30th August
with Sunday 31st August, Saturday 5th Sept Sunday 6th Sept
The rough plan is to meet between 10-11am. Park at Kaniwhaiwha carpark, have lunch (bring your own) hot drinks provided for all who bring their own cup.Walk for about 15-20 minutes to weeding area, weed for 2 hours walk back,have afternoon tea (cake and biscuits provided, drinks as above)head home.
Helpers might like to take the opportunity to go for the Nikau walk if they come in their own transport or car-pool accordingly. Cycling is allowed along the stream and the Nikau Loop for those who like to take bikes or do the extra sporty thing and cycle all the way from home, wherever that may be. Look forward to getting your registration and suggestions and above all meeting you at the event.
Sabine Pahl
cyclist.happy@gmail.com
855 0929
