Welcome to the October/November 2018 issue of our newsletter. No Images? Click here Predator Free Dunedin has launched!
Once upon a time, Dunedin would have had the most incredible birdsong. Predator Free Dunedin plans to bring it back. To make the city a place where robins play in your garden, kākā hang out in the Octagon, and all native birds can flourish. As the Wildlife Capital of New Zealand, we’re already a community that embraces nature. If we pull together, we can have birdlife that’s the envy of the world. Predator Free Dunedin is a conservation collective formed to create a biodiversity rich city. 20 organisations working together, under one umbrella, to achieve predator free status over 31,000 hectares. Our goal is for a predator free Dunedin by 2050. Predator Free Dunedin will build upon the great work undertaken by the Predator Free Peninsula and Halo Predator Free Project to connect these areas with a new Urban Linkage project. Dunedinites will collaboratively work to implement predator control operations in their backyards and in local reserves within the Urban Linkage area. There are so many ways that you can help reach this vision. Find out how by heading to the Predator Free Dunedin website and joining the Facebook page.
Volunteer SpotlightAttention Trappers We are collecting data on mustelid traps around the Otago Peninsula. Our goal is to find out: (a) where mustelid trap lines are; (b) who is out there trapping, and; (c) assess what types of traps are currently being used. This survey will help us with planning more predator control initiatives on Otago Peninsula. There is an easy form to fill out - just email Grace at : davgr250@student.otago.ac.nz Thank you for your help! Grace Davidson (OPBG volunteer) NoticesTown Belt Bird Count 14 and 28 October, 9.30-10.30am 4,11,18 and 25 November,9.30-10.30am Birds New Zealand will be delivering 6 FREE training sessions on how to undertake five minute bird counts during .Five minute bird counts (AKA 5MBC) are a standard method for recording birds in a variety of habitats. Meet at the Moana Pool Carpark . Any questions, call Bruce-0273891477. Check out the facebook page for more details and any updates
Quarantine Island 60th Anniversary Celebrations 20 October Join the Quarantine Island/Kamau Taurua community over labour weekend to celebrate their 60th anniversary! We’d love to hear memories/see photos of your time on the Island! There will be time for informal sharing, and some short presentations from previous and current members of the Community. A leisurely walk around the island, a delicious potluck lunch and dinner…Come for the day, or stay overnight. Kids Biodiversity Clinics6 & 7 October Open Vue and Mitre 10 Mega Dunedin have teamed up to deliver some exciting workshops for the kids these school holidays! There are four different hands-on workshops each day for the kids to get stuck into!
EventsBirds NZe-Bird Global Big DaySaturday 6 October How many birds can be seen in one day? That’s the question that drives a ‘big day,’ a 24-hour birding binge that is a fond tradition among birders. Join more than 20,000 others and become a part of eBird's Global Big Day. You don’t need to commit to 24 hours—just an hour or even 10 minutes in your backyard counts. For more details on how to participate read here.
Botanical Society Otago TalksWere native plants on settlers' farms in southern New Zealand used or abused?Wednesday 10 October, 5.20 pm, Free Rm. 215, Zoology Benham Building, 346 Great King Street Did early settlers use or abuse native plants and ecosystems? The answer is more complex than many of us might believe. Peter Holland, Emeritus Professor, Department of Geography, University of Otago shall discuss his findings based on information from official reports, contemporary newspaper articles, and entries in late 19th and early 20th century Native plants are vital to 'Nationhood' not just nice to have, optional extrasWednesday 14 November, 5.20pm, Free Rm. 215, Zoology Benham Building, 346 Great King Street Join Colin D Meurk, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research as he illustrates key concepts, causes and novel opportunities in loss and recovery of our flora through urban and rural landscapes where most people form their notions of naturalness.You are invited to compare notes on the state of our flora and how we can mend and rebuild its presence in our places and in our consciousness. Botanical Society Otago Field TripsFieldtrip to 'Dogwood' at Kuri BushSaturday 6 October, 8.30 am, Free Botany Department car park Dogwood at Kuri Bush is a c.5ha remnant of mixed podocarp-broadleaf forest in a steep-sided gully on private land. It is in the process of being considered for a QEII covenant and one of the aims of this field trip is to contribute to a growing species list for the QEII report. Join the ramble and enjoy the diverse native flora and fauna that can be found here. Meet at Botany Department at 8.30 am to carpool or on-site at 9.10 amCheck out the BotSoc website for all the details.Weekend fieldtrip to SouthlandFriday 9 November,6pm, Free ( not including transport/accommodation costs) Dipton, Southland We plan to further explore the botanical treasures of Southland. Local QEII representative Jesse Bythell has organised a great itinerary for us and DOC botanist Brian Rance will lead us through that. Jesse has lined up several properties in the Dipton area that include beech forest, mature podocarp-broadleaved forest and rare small-leaved shrubland. Check out the BotSoc website for all the details. Dunedin Botanic Garden Hort TalksPartnership in Action: Restoring a Wetland5 October,12pm, Free Dunedin Botanic Garden Information centre Hear about the local wetland restoration being done by Te Nohoaka o Tukiauau/Sinclair Wetlands Trust, and the ways that they and the Department of Conservation are supporting each other. Predator Free Dunedin: where are we at?2 November, 12pm, Free Dunedin Botanic Garden Information centre Hear from representatives of the Predator Free Dunedin collective about the very latest progress and techniques for achieving this ambitious goal. Speakers will also outline what’s coming up and how you can be involved. Quarantine Island/Kamau Taurua CommunityOpen Days21 & 22nd October Come for the afternoon, or stay overnight to relax, do a little biodiversity monitoring, weed control, releasing seedlings what ever tickles your fancy. Details on how to get to the island and what you can do can be found on the Quarantine Island website. Barn DanceSaturday 17 November The Quarantine Island/Kamau Taurua are holding a barn dance as part two of their 60th anniversary celebrations. The dance will go from about 7 – 10pm with Catgut and Steel as our wonderful musicians/callers. Details about the dance and how to book can be found on the Quarantine Island news and events page.
Volunteer activitiesBeyond OrokonuiBe a trap line volunteerAre you at home in the bush and hills? Would you 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
Orokonui Estuary Care GroupPlant care and Weedbusting28 October and 25 November 9.30 am to 12pm Orokonui Estuary is home to an ongoing revegetation project to support native fish and birds. Join our regular group of volunteers working with the plants. Tools and gloves are provided, also morning tea. Lifts from town are available. Contact orokonui.estuary.group@gmail.com to join our email list and for more information. Otago Peninsula Biodiversity GroupChew Card Crew Deployment :9th,10th and 18th October We are set to start our spring possum monitoring and follow-up trapping. How do we do this? 1.Deployment -walk the beautiful peninsula tracks and mount non-toxic chew cards. 2.Collection-return one week later to check what pests have been munching on the cards. 3.Follow up-deploy traps where needed. Ideally you will be able to attend both the deployment and collection dates ( e.g. 9th and 16th), if not, rope in a friend to work with you! Email chosted@doc.govt.nz or volunteers@opbg.nz to register or ask questions. Quarantine IslandWeekday Warriors Quarantine Island has lots of school groups who visit the island during the week. We'd love some weekend warriors who can volunteer their time to assist with project work and educating the students. To find out more email jhetherington@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 Conservation Dunedin War on Weeds Join us for a field mission over October! Sunday 14th Smiths Creek gorse busting Wednesday 17th and 24th Pukehiki/Peggys Hill barberry busting Check out the DOC Facebook page for event details and email chosted@doc.govt.nz to register Sign up to the War on Weeds mail list to get up to date info on future missions! Be a Wildlife GuardianOctober 2018 - April 2019. Sandfly bay lies 15 km east of central Dunedin on the Otago Peninsula. The bay boasts amazing recreational opportunities such as sand-boarding and exploring the walking tracks as well a prime spot for wildlife viewing. Sandfly bay is not only a popular spot for tourists, but is frequented by Hooker's Sea Lions/whakahao, New Zealand fur seals/kekeno and Yellow-eyed penguins/hoiho. We need your help to protect the wildlife at Sandfly Bay. Join us to help educate visitors about the special wildlife that visit the beach and how we should share the space with them . You will also be able to help with wildlife management projects such as pest control and wildlife monitoring. Email: kconnor@doc.govt.nz for questions and to register. 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 suit your interests and needs, or help create something new that ticks your boxes! Email: catherine.hosted@dcc.govt.nz
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