Welcome to the April/May 2018 issue of our newsletter. No Images? Click here Wild Dunedin - Festival of Nature 2018Friday 20 April to Wednesday 25 April Go wild and celebrate our local wildlife. There is a wide variety of activities available - talks, open days, a children’s programme, conservation events, guided walks, exhibitions and a whole lot more. Visit the Wild Dunedin Festival of Nature on Facebook.
NoticesWhio Awareness Month April is Whio Awareness Month. Take part in events and competitions that celebrate and promote our endangered blue duck. International Day for Biological Diversity 22 May 2018 Increase your understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. Celebrate 25 years of international biodiversity
Trustpower Community Awards Entries close 31 May 2018 Recognise a volunteer or a volunteer group for all their hard work . Anyone can enter a group – even the group themselves. No group is too small or too big, too old or too new.
Dunedin City Council Biodiversity Fund Applications close 30th April, 5pm The April 2018 funding round has $30,000 available for allocation in the form of grants on a cost-sharing basis (50% landowner 50% Council). If you have a project that focuses on:
Then get an application in!
Wild Dunedin Kiwi GuardiansFriday 20 April to Wednesday 25 April This year Toyota Kiwi Guardians has teamed up with the Wild Dunedin festival of nature! Participate in one of the Toyota Kiwi Guardians endorsed Wild Dunedin events to redeem an EXCLUSIVE Wild Dunedin Medal. Add it to your medal collection or make it your first. Visit wilddunedin.nz for event details and further information
Wild Dunedin PodcastSundays 6pm and Tuesdays 3pm A six episode podcast series all about the wildlife in our own backyard. From geckos in your undies to deep water canyons we find out the real deal, from ecologists to anti-poaching experts and bold visionaries – this is not your usual nature chat. Subscribe via your podcast provider. Sharing the beach with our wild neighboursOur dogs love the beach, but so do our penguins, as it’s where they call home. One thing to remember is penguins usually stay hidden (maybe they are camera shy), we most likely won’t even know they are on our beach. But, this doesn't mean our clever pups can’t sniff them out if given the chance to run wild. So, encourage pup to stay on the wet sand and keep him in sight - that way our small feathered friends can remain stress free, which is extremely important during their moult, and our dogs can continue to enjoy the beach. Wildlife is very much a reality of our awesome coast. When using the beach, we need to be alert for others who may have made this their home. It’s easy to be a good dog owner as there is space for each, just remember to SHARE the beach! If you do have any concerns about wildlife on your beach, have a chat with our trusted DOC rangers on 0800 HOT DOC, or call locally at the Dunedin Office 03 477 0677.
Urban Nature in DunedinKnown as the Wildlife Capital of New Zealand, the peninsula, hills and forests of Dunedin are home to some special creatures. If we look closely, we can find nature in the city too. Check out the Urban Nature panels around Dunedin to learn more about the special nature of Dunedin and follow us on Facebook!
EventsOtago Peninsula Biodiversity GroupPublic Information SessionsThursday 5 April Vauxhall Boat Club, Portobello Road 7 pm – 9 pm Come along and find out more about what we do and how you and your community can get involved. Learn about our values, the biodiversity benefits of pest control, how to support native birds, volunteering and much more. These sessions are open to all ages. Dunedin Botanic Garden Hort TalksRare and unusual plants of the Dunedin Botanic Garden geographic plant collection6 April 12pm, Free admission Of the 2500 species in the collection, some are rare because of human activity. Others are just plain unusual, Dylan will cover the ecosystems and threats to these plants from around the globe. Botanical Society OtagoBotanical Photography Field Trip to McPhees RockSaturday 7 April February, 8.30 am McPhees Rock lies at the southern end of the Rock and Pillar Range. Access is from the Old Dunstan Road from a point north of the Loganburn Reservoir. We will spend the day looking at alpine plants and learning techniques to take good photographs in the demanding conditions that prevail in alpine environments. Bring your camera and a tripod if you have one. May sure you bring warm clothing and wet weather gear. Meet at Botany Department carpark at 8.30 am. If the weather is unsuitable we will hold the trip on Sunday 8th. Contact: David Lyttle 03 454 5470 or email: djl1yttle@gmail.com. Birds NZSinclair Wetland Autumn Bird SurveySaturday 7 April, 10 am, Free admission Sinclair Wetland, 854 Clarendon-Berwick Road, Outram You will be teamed up with experienced counters from Birds NZ to count waterbirds , survey forest birds on the islands, and count fernbird using call playback. These counts will produce a current record of bird-life in the wetlands that will be used as a baseline for future comparisons to help assess the success of the restoration/management of this important wetland. Carpool leaving Dunedin at 9 am. To join the survey teams and for more information contact Mary Thompson 464 0787 or maryt@actrix.co.nz Botanical Society OtagoThe whys and hows of identifying plants used in Maori textilesWednesday 11 April 5.20 pm Zoology Benham Building, 346 Great King Street Speaker: Dr Bronwyn Lowe, Centre for Materials Science and Technology, University of Otago. This talk will discuss identification of plant materials in Māori textiles, why some Māori textile artefacts deteriorate so badly despite best care, and current research into methods for conserving them. Orokonui EcosanctuaryGreat Walk for WildlifeSaturday 21 April ,10am, Cost: $12 Orokonui Ecosanctuary, top of Blueskin Road The Orokonui Great Walk for Wildlife is 12km walk organised by Orokonui Ecosanctuary. All proceeds from the event will support our takahe and kaka conservation work.Enjoy the spectacular surroundings within the Ecosanctuary and along the estuary boardwalk. At the end of the walk there will be a free sausage sizzle and spot prizes will be given For more information and to register, visit the Orokonui website Quench your Thirst for Knowledge Monthly Science TalkDon't count your kiwi before they've hatched: how genetics can help save threatened species.Tuesday 24 April, 5.30 pm Ombrellos Bar & Restaurant, 10 Clarendon St This month, we celebrate Wild Dunedin and talk the importance of genetics in conservation with Helen Taylor: Don't count your kiwi before they've hatched: how genetics can help save threatened species. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thirstforknowledge.otago/ Dunedin Botanic Garden Hort TalksUnderground DiscoveriesFriday 4th May, 12pm, Free admission Dunedin Botanic Gardens Information Centre The Dunedin Botanic Garden just happens to be one of the most geologically diverse sites in the region. Hear GNS Science's recent discoveries about six million years of sedimentary and volcanic action. After the talk GNS geologist, Adam Martin will lead a hill walk exploring the remnants of the Dunedin volcano. Botanical Society OtagoFungal Foray Field Trip to WaiporiSaturday 19 May 8.30 am Zoology Benham Building, 346 Great King Street Learn about fungi and participate in the on-going research of the University's Department of Botany. We will travel to Waipori and spend the morning in the beech forest collecting fungi. After lunch we will return to the Botany Department where we will identify, record and photograph our collections. The collections will be dried and placed in the Otago University Herbarium. Contact: David Orlovich david.orlovich@otago.ac.nz or David Lyttle 03 454 5470 / djl1yttle@gmail.com. Otago Museum2018 Otago Wildlife Photography ExhibitionUntil 15 July 10 am - 5:00 pm, Free admission Explore the natural world through the finest images and videos from Otago’s talented amateur photographers and videographers.
Volunteer activitiesYellow Eyed Penguin TrustBeach clean up14 April, 10am until 1pm After a fantastic day cleaning up the Smaills Beach area during Sea Week,
we're heading back to finish removing the rubbish dumped in the sand dune area between the road and beach. Tomahawk Smaills Beachcare TrustCommunity planting days22 April, 10am-12pm and 20 May 10am-12pm Come along to our monthly public planting days. Following each planting, the Trust hosts a lunchtime BBQ as a thank you to volunteers. Check our Facebook page or email us for more information and to find Beyond OrokonuiBe a trap line volunteersAre you comfortable in the bush and would like to be part of our trapping network in forested areas around the Inner Halo - including around Mihiwaka. If you're interested, please email halocoordinator@gmail.com or message us on Facebook Quarantine IslandWar on weeds volunteer days11th/ 12th, 25th/ 26th May, 6.30pm - 4pm next day Weed control is a key focus on Quarantine Island Kamau Taurua – every bit as important as controlling animal pests. Come over to the island for an overnight weed busting adventure in May. Enjoy a relaxing complimentary evening on the island, before getting stuck into weed control the following day. Free. Bookings or queries to chosted@doc.govt.nz Save The Otago Peninsula (STOP)Regular working bees, Smiths Creek Every Sunday 10am - 1pm Meet at the end of Bacon St off Portobello Road in Turnbulls Bay (next past Broad Bay). Please bring: Gardening gloves, garden shears - if you have them. A transport subsidy is available. For more info contact Lala, 027 8756 020 or email stopincsoc@gmail.com Visit the STOP website to find out more about the group and how you can be involved.
Department of ConservationClutha river /Mata-au planting adventures The lower Clutha River/Mata-au catchment planting days offer a great chance to get hands on involvement with some important local conservation projects, set in some beautiful locations, all for the benefit of freshwater ecosystem health and the wonderful species that live within this environment. There will be several trips during April .These will be held on weekdays and will run from 9.00 am until 4.30 pm. Transport and gear will be provided. Join the adventure as a group or individual, just register through the DOC website and we will be in touch with more information and dates.
Dunedin War on Weeds The War on Weeds is ramping up around Dunedin! We are targeting two areas over April and May. Join us for a fun field day out on the stunning Otago Peninsula or the wild and wonderful Quarantine Island! There are six trips to choose from! Transport, tools and accommodation ( on the island) will be provided! Find out all the details on our Facebook events page and register by emailing: chosted@doc.govt.nz Spots are limited on each trip so register now!
Let the trail blazing beginDunedin and Coastal Otago is blessed with an awesome variety of trails and we need your help to make sure that everyone has the best experience. Join the Trail Crew team to help make these trails into the ultimate experience. There are more adventures and ground to cover than you can shake a stick at. Register now and get stuck in to one of the April-May field days! Connecting Conservation CommunitiesNature Space is a nationwide website that supports community conservation efforts. It enables community groups to source and share information in a simple easy format, and to remain up to date with current conservation information. To register your project just fill out the group sign up form. Looking for a volunteer opportunity for your staff or group?Get in touch with our friendly Volunteer Project FacilitatorAre you looking for a fun volunteer experience for your staff or group of friends to get involved with but don't know where to look? Get in touch with Catherine! She can help match you with current projects that match your interests and needs, or help create something new that ticks your boxes! Email: catherine.hosted@dcc.govt.nz
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