Annual garden bird survey
24 June - 2 July 2017Birds are important indicators of the health of New Zealand’s environment. Help scientists create a picture of how our bird populations are doing and get involved with this fantastic citizen science project. Learn more about the NZ Garden Bird Survey
World Environment DayMonday, 5 June 2017 World Environment Day is an international United Nations event that creates awareness of the environment and encourages political attention and action. More information about the day
Name the GeckoThis jewelled gecko – moko kākāriki has been making himself at home at the Otago Museum after being smuggled to Germany.The Otago Museum needs help picking a name for this fine fellow. Vote for your favourite name option before 12 pm Friday 23 June and be in for a chance to win an excellent Otago Museum family prize pack. Visit the the Otago Museum Webpage to register your vote
EventsHortTalkInteresting Plants in Interesting Places
Friday, 2 June, 12 midday Dunedin Botanic Garden information centre Lisa Burton, Programme Manager Horticulture and Arboriculture, Otago Polytechnic recently visited beautiful gardens in Australia, South Africa and Europe. Enjoy these gardens through the eyes of a professional horticulture lecturer. Visit the Dunedin Botanic Garden website Botanical Society of OtagoField trip to Lower Taieri Gorge Saturday, 10 June 2017 The 8 km long Taieri River and Millennium track follows the true right of the lower Taieri River from the end of Taieri Ferry Road near Henley, through to Taieri Mouth. It traverses interesting dry hillslope broadleaved forest with many rare species including fragrant tree daisy, fierce lancewood, native verbena, wind grass and Coprosma obconica. Depart Botany car park at 9 am return 4 pm. For further information contact Contact
John Barkla
or phone: 03 476 3686. Lichens and luscious berries of Sweden, Finland and Lapland Wednesday, 14 June 2017, 5:20pm, Benham Seminar Room, Rm. 215, 2nd floor, 346 Great King Street. Allison Knight will talk about her Scandinavian summer—adventure kayaking around the thousands of islands in the St Ana archipelago, attending IAL8 International Lichen Symposium in Helsinki and a fabulous field trip to Lapland. For further information, contact Robyn Bridges or phone 03 472
7330. Visit the Botanical Society of Otago website
Trapping workshop - Otago Peninsula Biodiversity GroupSaturday, 17 June 2017, 2:30pm-4:30pm Macandrew Bay Community Hall, Cnr Greenacres St and Portobello Rd Learn more about how to monitor and trap possums, and other pest species, in a safe and humane way. This is a free hands-on workshop. Please RSVP by Monday 12 June to opbg11@gmail.com
or phone 021 263 0566. For more information see the event brochure
Matariki at the Orokonui SanctuaryOrokonui Dawn Experience 8am Sunday, 18 June 2017 Experience Orokonui at dawn (8am), when beautiful birdsong greets the new day. The sociable Kaka are usually the first up followed by the Tui and Korimako/Bellbird. Takahe feeding is at 11am. (Normal entry costs apply) Flax & Maori Perfume 2pm-3:30pm Sunday, 18 June 2017 Come and learn about Maori preparation
and uses of perfume and its traditional significance. Bookings recommended 03 482 1755 or email info@orokonui.nz
More information
Sinclair Wetlands Winter Plant and Learn Series
Birds of the Wetlands Sunday, 18 June 2017, 1pm Listen to ornithologist Mary Thompson talk about birds of the wetlands, followed by a walk in the wetlands and an opportunity to roll up your sleeves and plant a native tree. Register your interest with Sue Galloway at suemgalloway@actrix.co.nz or phone 03 464 0787 Plants and tools will be supplied but bring your gumboots!
For more information on this event see the Wetlands Facebook page
Sinclair Wetlands Winter Plant and Learn Series Special Swamp Plants Sunday, 15 July 2017, 1pm Head out to Sinclair Wetlands to hear from Peter Johnson talk about the special swamp plants of Sinclair Wetlands. This will be followed by a walk through the wetlands and an opportunity to roll up your sleeves and plants some trees! Plants and tools will be supplied but bring your gumboots!
For more information on this event see the Wetlands Facebook page
Birds NZ
TalkWednesday 28 June, 7.30pm Bruce McKinlay will explain how eBird, an online database, is proving to be an important tool for providing up-to-date information on bird population trends and distribution. Room 215, 2nd floor, Zoology Benham Building, 346 Gt King Street, Dunedin. Birds NZ Winter Wader CountSunday 2nd July, 10am - 12 noon This is an important ongoing monitoring programme for birds that use the estuaries around the Otago coast. Counters
are needed at Aramoana, Hooper’s and Papanui Inlets and Blueskin Bay. Join a survey team or for more information contact Mary Thompson, phone 03 464 0787 or email
maryt@actrix.co.nz HortTalkEncouraging Monarch Butterflies: what we can do in our own gardens Friday, 7 July 2017, 12 midday Botanic Garden information centre Jennifer Bradshaw, Monarch Butterfly Trust talks about the life-cycle and ways of Monarch butterflies, their relationship to the environment and how to protect and support them. Visit the Dunedin Botanic Garden website Birds NZ Sinclair Wetland Winter Bird SurveySaturday 15 July, 10 am Carpool leaving Dunedin at 9 am. To join the survey teams and for information contact Mary Thompson, phone 03 464 0787 or
maryt@actrix.co.nz Birds NZ TalkWednesday 26 July, 7.30pm Helen Taylor will talk about her research on fertility of our endangered native birds and its importance in conservation management. Room 215, 2nd floor, Zoology Benham Building, 346 Gt King Street, Dunedin
National Volunteer Week is New Zealand's largest celebration of volunteering and civic participation. This year’s theme is “Live, laugh, share -- Volunteer” or “Kia ringa hora: Me mahi tūao.” This positive message is about celebrating what volunteers bring to their communities. It is important to recognise volunteering and the place it has in keeping our communities strong and healthy. More information about National Volunteer Week
Save The Otago Peninsula
STOP is currently co-ordinating the 2017 planting at one of the two catchment planting sites on either side of the Hereweka Harbour Cone Block. Working bees are every Tuesday and Sunday morning and we are always looking for more volunteers. We are particularly interested to make contact with groups that would like a day or half day planting. STOP also has regular working bees on other sites ranging from a DOC Scientific Reserve, to a wetland site and a dune site, as well as the bush remnants fenced off on the side of the Portobello Peninsula and the Memorial Seat in Broad Bay. Contact Lala for more information: lala.frazer@gmail.com or text
Become a Trail BlazerDunedin and Coastal Otago is blessed with an awesome variety of trails. 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 your interest
Seeking Conservation MentorsOtago Youth Wellness TrustDo you have an interest in the outdoors, volunteering and conservation to walk alongside young people with possibly the same (or at least a growing) interest. Application and training require approximately 10 hours of your time spread over the next three or so months. Contact Ruth Harrison at Otago Youth Wellness Trust, phone 03 4747 305 ext 219 if you would like more information or find them on Facebook
Attention Jacks of all tradesKowhai Grove is a place where young people and their community connect to the land. It is a place to learn and contribute to a small-scale farming operation, and grow food together and as individuals. We are particularly keen to hear from (retired) Jacks of all trades to make our many building projects happen. If you are interested, get in touch with Annika: annika@malcam.org.nz. For more information visit www.facebook.com/kowhaigrovedunedin
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
Find more volunteer activities
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