Wild Dunedin

Get involved in Dunedin City's first ever festival of nature, on 22-25 April. The exciting programme is jam packed with exclusive opportunities to participate in events and activities that will take you into the heart of Wild Dunedin. 

The events calendar at the bottom of this newsletter highlights a few of the activities, but we encourage you to view the full programme. Don't miss out!

Notices

Get kids into nature

Decrease screen time and increase nature time these school holidays by becoming a Kiwi Guardian family.

Choose a place to explore in Dunedin, make your way to the site, engage your senses, take risks, get dirty and, ultimately earn a medal. Once you're home why not take action for conservation to earn more rewards.

Conservation Inc 2 Conference

Hosted by the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust, on 18-20 May in Dunedin.

Conservation Inc 2 brings together people from all sectors of New Zealand’s community conservation landscape.

Get more details and find out how to register.

Volunteer activities

Writer - Coastal Otago Conservation newsletter

We are looking for an excellent writer and communicator who can commit to putting this newsletter together on a bi-monthly basis ideally for the next 12 months or more.

Get more details and find out how to apply.

Weeding and plant releasing - Orokonui Estuary Living Legends

Protect and restore native vegetation along the Orokonui estuary, a habitat for native fish and foraging birds.

Last two workdays of the season 24 April and 29 May, 9.30am-12.30pm. Meet at the end of Foyle Street in Waitati. Transport from Dunedin available.

Get more details and find out how to register.

Weeding - Aramoana Ecological Area

Join the Aramoana Conservation Trust to remove wilding pine seedlings and other invasive weeds from the Aramoana Ecological Area.

Meet at the Aramoana Hall, at 10am on Sunday 22 May. Bring tools, and a packed lunch. Nothing too strenuous and a great chance to experience this reserve first hand.

Email the Aramoana Conservation Trust for more information.

Find more volunteer activities

Events calendar

Southland Forest and Bird event
Saturday 9 April, 11 am

Join Forest and Bird for a restoration project and Kiwi Conservation Club flax boat racing at Home Creek, Manapouri. For more details contact John Carter (03 249 4315 or 021 0865 0535).

Botanical Society of Otago AGM and photographic competition
Wednesday 13 April, 5:20 pm

This photographic competition is a popular and eagerly anticipated event for anyone interested in botanical photography. The best photographs will be chosen for the BSO Calendar so this is your opportunity to have one month of fame. 

Room 215, 2nd floor Zoology Benham Building, 346 Great King Street.

Forest and Bird field trip to Government Track,
Sunday 17 April, 9 am

A very pleasant well-graded walk though mixed bush. Transport provided. For more details contact Janet Ledingham ( 027 623 4948 or jledingham@xtra.co.nz).

Meet at the Otago University Botany Department car park, corner Great King & Union Street, $10.

South Otago Forest and Bird talk
Monday 18 April, 7:30 pm

Brian Patrick speaks about "Our disappearing butterflies".

St Andrew's Church Hall, Balclutha.

Dunedin Forest and Bird talk
Tuesday 19 April, 5:30 pm

Max Buxton speaks about his study on the role of moths in alpine and grassland ecosystems. 

Room 215, 2nd floor Zoology Benham Building, 346 Great King Street.

Pesky Pests at Glenfalloch Gardens
Friday 22 April

Some animals and plants are nasty threats to our native wildlife and bush. These pesky pests will be hiding at Glenfalloch Garden. Have a go at identifying  them and learn how to stop them harming our native animals and plants.

Sea lion stories
Friday 22 April

Who are Jonah, Cockle, Wovoka and Chewy? Find out at this family friendly session about sea lions. Practice being a sea lion ranger investigating what sea lions eat and how to tag them to tell them apart. Take away a fun board game to play at home.

Glow worms at Nichols Falls
Saturday 23 April

Come on a night time family-friendly adventure with Fantail Trails to see nature’s efficient light emitters at Nichols Falls.

Bioblitz on Hereweka 
Saturday 23 - Sunday 24 April

Observe a ‘BioBlitz’ biodiversity survey taking place on Hereweka/Harbour Cone. Brian Patrick will be presenting an illustrated talk on Peninsula insects at BioBlitz headquarters, Pukehiki Hall, Saturday 3pm.

Nature Watch Day at Orokonui Ecosanctuary
Sunday 24 April 

Meet Orokonui Rangers for special activities and events at discounted entry rates.

Plant and paddle at Sinclair Wetlands
Sunday 24 April

Sinclair Wetlands are hosting a "kayak open day" for all levels of experience together with an opportunity to  help out with their re-vegetation programme.   

Botanical Society of Otago talk
Wednesday 11 May, 5.20pm 

Come along to hear Gregory Nelson talk about Diversification of New Zealand Lineages. Gregory is an MSc Student from the Botany Department at University of Otago/Landcare Research.

Room 215, 2nd floor Zoology Benham Building, 346 Great King Street.

Dunedin Forest and Bird: AGM and talk
Tuesday 17 May, 5:20 pm

Dr Deb Wilson from Landcare Research speaks about "Predicting skua numbers from Adelie penguin numbers - studies in Antarctica"

Room 215, 2nd floor Zoology Benham Building, 346 Great King Street.

Southland Forest and Bird working weekend
Saturday 21 - Sunday 22 May 

Join Forest and Bird for a working weekend at Tautuku Forest Cabins, at Lenz Reserve. For more details contact Chris Rance (03 213 1161 or rances@ihug.co.nz).

South Otago Kiwi Conservation Club activity
Sunday 22 May

Join Forest and Bird​ for a landfill, worm farms and upcycling activity. For more details contact Roy Johnstone (03 418 1319 or johns-stones@rivernet.co.nz).

Botanical Society of Otago field trip
Saturday 28 May

Come along on a field trip to Stevensons Bush Scenic Reserve. Visit a remnant of the extensive forest that once covered the north-harbour hills. Transport provided.

Upcoming funding