Welcome to the December 2017/ January 2018 issue of our newsletter. No Images? Click here Thank you to our wonderful Coastal Otago volunteersA huge thank you to all of you wonderful people that have contributed to the well being of our special flora and fauna in Coastal Otago. The Dunedin DOC office is lucky to have such an amazing collection of skilled and passionate volunteers who give their free time to contribute to the conservation effort. The mix of volunteers is fantastic! We have people helping with wildlife management, habitat restoration, biodiversity monitoring, recreation, education and advocacy. We even have a volunteer who creates this newsletter! Thanks Lynda for your hard work. So, a big heart felt thank you from myself and the team at the Dunedin DOC office. I look forward to all the exciting new adventures with you in the new year. Ngā mihi o te Kirihimete Catherine and the team at DOC P.s Keep an eye out for a fun get together in the new year to celebrate and enjoy each others fantastic achievements and welcome in the new year. Details to come soon! NoticesNZ Sea Lion Trust Book Launch & MeetingDunedin Public Library, Sunday 9 December, 12 noon. A special reading and informal launch of “St. Clair Splash” by Rachel McCoubrey. A beautiful new children’s picture book based on when a young sea lion got into the St Clair Salt Water Pool! This will be followed by a meeting to:
Come along and learn how you can help look after this returning native treasure . Email: info@sealiontrust.org.nz
STOP Tree Gift CertificatesSave the Otago Peninsula (STOP) has available attractive gift certificates for those who wish to either plant a tree themselves or gift one. STOP plant the tree and maintain it for three years in a public space on the Hereweka Harbour Cone Block. At $15 each, these are a great Christmas gift for that person who has everything or for someone who needs to offset their carbon credits. Easily posted too! Text Lala 027 8756 020 or email stopincsoc@gmail.com
Collins Field Guide to the New Zealand SeashoreDesigned as a companion for seashore excursions, this guide is an essential addition to every crib, glovebox and home library. This book inspires everyone to look closer and respect our seashore treasures. Sally Carson is the Director of the University of Otago’s NZ Marine Studies Centre and Rod Morris is a wildlife photographer, documentary-maker, and natural historian. Available from all good bookshops. 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.
Stories about Predator Free 2050Check out the latest news articles, stories and blog posts about Predator Free 2050. Toyota Kiwi Guardian Summer AdventuresLook no further for a fun, free adventure for you and the children this summer with Toyota Kiwi Guardian. This is an exciting activity programme for kids to learn about nature, earn cool rewards and go on epic family adventures! Dunedin has 9 adventure destinations with two new sites being announced very soon! For more information and to start planning your adventures check out the DOC Toyota Kiwi Guardian page 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!
Explore the Seashore with your Family this SummerMarine Metre Squared is an easy, fun way to learn about the plants and animals living on your local seashore. Check out the Marine Metre Squared webpage to find everything you need to get involved in this exciting nationwide Citizen Science project, start surveying your local seashore, and find out where plants and animals that live between the tides are found around New Zealand. Take a moment to join the Marine Metre Squared project – it's easy and free.
Events Tomahawk Lagoon health monitoring: 2017 findingsSaturday 9 December 2017, 9:00am - 1:00pm Watch students share their stories about what they have found from their latest lagoon health monitoring research. Special guest speaker, freshwater scientist Mike Joy, will comment about water quality in water bodies like Tomahawk Lagoon throughout NZ. Free. Morning tea and lunch will be provided. Grant Braes AFC, 1 Domain Ave, Ocean Grove, Dunedin 9013. For catering purposes please RSVP to: Andrew Innes (ECOTAGO) , 021 023 91950 or email andrew_innes09@hotmail.com
Big Day BirdathonSaturday, 16 and Sunday, 17 December 2017 How many birds can you spot in 24 hours? Get a team together and count as many different species as you can between December 16 – 17. For further information and to register, visit the Birdathon website
Quarantine Island/ Kamau Taurua Open DaysJanuary 20th & January 27th Explore, help with projects, including biodiversity monitoring. Family-friendly events. Details about cost for boat transfers and accommodation on our website.
Catlins Summer ProgrammeJanuary - February 2018 Run by South Otago Forest and Bird in association with the Catlins Historial Society. Events may include: Bat talks & walks at Tahakopa
A detailed programme will be available mid-December at local libraries, i-sites, South Otago Forest & Bird’s Facebook page or contact Jim Young - call 03 415 8532, email janejimyoung@slingshot.co.nz
Volunteer activitiesDOCNew year, new volunteering experienceMake it your new year’s resolution to volunteer in 2018. Jump on the conservation bandwagon, there’s still much that needs to be done and so much fun to be had! Get involved with conservation groups working with DOC in Otago. Check out what’s happening near you.
Volunteer wildlife viewing ranger - Sandfly BaySandfly Bay is one of the Otago Peninsula’s most popular destinations, featuring yellow eyed penguins/hoiho, sea lions and other wildlife. Educate visitors about the penguins and how to behave around wildlife. Volunteers must be able to commit to several nights a month. Training will be provided. More information about volunteering at Sandfly Bay Forest and BirdBring back the seabirdsThe Bring Back the Seabirds Project aims to enhance and assist in re-establishing a range of seabirds that once bred in Otago at localised sites within the greater Dunedin area. Forest and Bird are establishing a network of trap lines to control pests wit the aim of protecting the breeding tītī and their chicks. The Trap Pack are looking for new recruits for one off trap and trap box carrying events and long term independent volunteers to help check and maintain the established trap lines. Traps need checking every two weeks during the seven month tītī breeding season from October to May. However if you are only available for a few weeks your help is still greatly appreciated. If you are interested in volunteering please contact Francesca Cunninghame
Beyond OrokonuiBe part of the Halo ProjectInterested in getting out and about checking traps around the scenic north Dunedin coast and hills? The Halo project , is a community-led initiative to restore the 4000 ha landscape around Orokonui Ecosanctuary by trapping introduced pests and predators. We are looking for keen volunteers from December 2017 onwards, either to take on a regular trap line route, or to act as fill-ins on a casual basis. All training will be provided. Volunteers will need to provide their own transport. There may also be opportunities to help with summer lizard monitoring. For more information and to register contact: halocoordinator@gmail.com Web: www.haloproject.co.nz and www.beyondorokonui.org.nz
Save The Otago Peninsula (STOP)Regular and holiday working bees Save the Otago Peninsula (STOP) is a community based environmental group that actively undertakes habitat enhancement, advocacy and education for the unique biodiversity of the Otago Peninsula. Get down and dirty on one of the regular working bees every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday mornings or come along to our end of year working bees and give back to the great outdoors on either Saturday 30th or Sunday 31st December or both! Please email Lala to confirm your attendance by the 22nd of December. Text Lala, 027 8756 020 or email stopincsoc@gmail.com
Quarantine Island/Kamau Taurua Working holiday on Quarantine Island/Kamau Taurua We have a number of projects we'd love volunteers' help with in January, including building a fence, weed control (rope skills an advantage!), painting/maintenance, and releasing seedlings. We can offer accommodation in the Lodge if you'd like to stay overnight, or come for one of our working bee days. We can sometimes help with the boat fare, thanks to a grant from Weedbusters. The Island is a beautiful place to rest and recharge, and while we'll appreciate your labour, we'll insist you take time to relax too! Join the Quarantine Island Community Facebook page, check out our website quarantineisland.org.nz or email quarantineisland@gmail.com with any date preferences and your contact details.
Dunedin War on Weeds We are looking for adventurous people to register their interest in being part of Dunedin’s War on Weeds. Part of what makes Dunedin a special place is the unique flora and fauna that is found here. We need your help to protect it and help it flourish. If you're keen to make sure these special places thrive, register your interest for a War on Weeds adventure. Keeping Dunedin Beautiful Together
Keep Dunedin Beautiful orientation week clean-ups registration of interest Keep Dunedin Beautiful work with around 250 first year students from various residential colleges during the week to show them a bit of the city they may not have seen, and to encourage them to take pride in their new city. Information about recycling best practise provided. It always proves to be a fun day out as a shared effort between students and residents. We are putting a call out for community members and student volunteers to assist with beach and street clean-ups during Orientation Week (19-23 February 201). Register your interest by emailing keepdunedinbeautiful@dcc.govt.nz
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 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. 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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