The Environment Centre is celebrating its new more regional name as well as launching our great new “Green Card” for those who become individual members of the centre. Forty two local businesses have come on board and are offering a range of discounts to our members.

During the week, the Centre will be open til 8pm, with talks on each evening, and culminating in Green Drinks on Friday at 5.30pm. 

Drop in anytime, or in the evening or at lunchtime for free nibbles and a movie, have a look around at the information we offer, what groups are doing, and find out which other businesses we are partnering with to encourage more sustainable purchasing.

Support your centre, bring your friends or workmates!

The evening talks next week are:

Monday 6th 

6pm - Velo Espresso - Matt Keen will discuss Velo Espresso's cycle commuter  facility
7pm - Greg Locke will talk about and demonstrate his recently converted electric bike 

Tuesday 7^th

6pm - Plumbing World / Felton with the speaker Roger Marty will talk about water conservation products for the home

Wednesday 8th

6pm - Jubilee Bush environmental education resource for primary schools - Katherine Hay. We will show a historical video of Jubilee Bush in the pre-boardwalk days.
7pm - Wayne Bennett, Forest Flora - will talk about the importance of biodiversity and ecosourcing

Thursday 9th

7pm - The Nappy Lady, Kate Meads - will discuss using cloth nappies in the 21st century.

Friday 10th

5.30 - Green Drinks.  The Environment Centre is hosting Green Drinks this month - a regular social networking event for anyone interested in environmental matters. Nibbles and drinks are provided.

Go in the Special Draw!
Be amongst first 100 members who sign up as members of the Waikato Environment Centre to go in the draw for a great prize of products sponsored by Captain Compost, Naturally Healthy, Jumpin' Jacks, the Herbal Shop and Clinic, the Hamilton Wine Company and the Environment Centre.

Any enquiries please phone the Centre 839 4452 or email envirocentre@paradise.net.nz
If you are thinking of coming to a talk we would be pleased to have some idea of numbers.

This has come from WWF, and raises important issues within the document -

Dear Friends,
I am writing from the Climate Change team at WWF-New Zealand to ask if you have considered making a submission on the government's Draft Energy Strategy, currently out for public consultation?

 WWF are deeply concerned with the themes of this document - it prioritises mineral and fossil fuel extraction as a means to economic growth while failing to address fundamental domestic energy issues of road transport emissions, unstable oil prices or local energy generation to name just a few. I've attached our analysis for your information.

If you are a position to do so, please make a submission on the Strategy by next Thursday 2 September. We've created a draft submission you may want to use. It's on the WWF website here: http://wwf.org.nz/take_action/draft_energy_strategy__have_your_say/.

More information on the strategies and on making a submission can be found at the Ministry for Economic Development site here: http://www.med.govt.nz/templates/ContentTopicSummary____19431.aspx

We believe taking forward the strategy as it stands will be damaging to New Zealand's society, environment and international reputation for many years to come.
Your voice is crucial to ensure we get this right.

Thanks for your time.
Kind Regards,
Lee

PS: Please extend this call to your contacts if you can. We've got just over a week to summon support!

http://www.wwf.org.nz/take_action/draft_energy_strategy__have_your_say/

Lee Barry
Climate Change campaigner
WWF - New Zealand
DDI: +64 (0)4 471 4297
Mob: +64 (0)21 052 5857

WWF analysis of the draft Energy Strategy_08.10.doc

‘Grow Your Own’

Sept 12th, Cambridge Town Hall, 10am to 4pm

Exhibits & Speakers; for the beginner to the experienced gardener.

Composting, bees, organics, worms, permaculture, natural pest control, growing fruit, vegetables and herbs.

Contact Jenny Wilson for info: sustainablecambridge@clear.net.nz

Whaingaroa Environment Centre is presenting a month of great events and happenings - films, workshops, tours - during September. See the attached pdf for the schedule.

Most of the events you do need to book -

Phone 825 0480 or 825 7123 after hours, or drop into WEC.

SustSept A4 colour.pdf

Volunteers needed

The Environment Centre is undertaking a membership campaign and part of that involves putting together some planter boxes for us to use for promotional purposes.
The nice people at Men's Sheds are preparing the wood for us but we need some handy-ish people who can wield a hammer for a couple of hours on Saturday morning to put the boxes together. If you would like to help out please contact Katherine at the EC 839 4452 or email on envirocentre.org.nz. Bribery and corruption will be used to encourage you all - delicious morning tea provided.

Meet a candidate

The Environment Centre does not directly endorse individual candidates but will publicise opportunities to find out more about candidates  and what they stand for, so here is an opportunity -

Invitation to meet Mark at Artspost, by the Museum, from 5.30pm on Monday week, 6 September. This is an informal opportunity for you to tell Mark what you think the city's priorities should be and to hear his vision for Hamilton.

Mark Servian is a candidate for the East Ward of Hamilton City, with the aim of being a voice on council for the environment, the arts and thecommunity.
A delicious light supper will be provided.
Please RSVP to meg@mark4hamilton.org.nz.

Saturday 28th August

Waikato Botanical society event: Threatened Plant Collection Working Bee

 A working bee in the threatened plant garden. We will pot up seedlings from some of the seed sown at the last working bee and weed the garden. Please bring gloves, old clothes and boots for weeding, planting and propagating activities.

Meet: 11am at Waikato University Gate 9, Hillcrest Rd, or down the hill at the glasshouses compound.
Contact: Liz Overdyck ph 07 825 9743 eg3@waikato.ac.nz

Saturday 21st August

Lake Cameron Care Group are having a planting day tomorrow at 10am to plant 480 native plants gifted from Honda Tree Fund.
Waipa District Council and Environment Waikato are providing lunch and refreshments. Anyone is welcome. Contact Bev Bradley muzbev@xtra.co.nz for details.

Tuesday 24 August

'Creating and designing your newsletter' workshop series for community groups. Numbers limited.
7pm in the Environment Centre. The further 2 evenings are at Wintec.

Click here for more information

Tuesday 31 August

Tour of Shallow Lakes
Landcare Trust Event for Resource Managers looking at issues surrounding our shallow lakes in the Waikato region.

We encourage you to car pool (we can assist with this if required). Feel free to forward this invitation onto anyone else whom may wish to attend.
Please RSVP as indicated on the invitation to Melinda Dresser: melinda.dresser@landcare.org.nz or phone (07) 859 3745.

INVITE Shallow Lakes Tour 31.8.10.pdf

Wednesday 8th September

You are warmly invited to enjoy an evening of Wine and Wetlands at the National Wetland Trust’s 10th AGM.
Waipa District Council, Te Awamutu

See details in attached invitation. All welcome, please forward to your contacts who may be interested and/or print off the invitation for your office notice board.
We welcome Trustees from around the country and have video and phone in conference facilities for meetings to minimise travel costs. Nominations may be made by members to Don.Scarlet@mightyriver.co.nz by close of day Tuesday, 7 September. If you wish to join the National Wetland Trust see our website for membership form: http://www.wetlandtrust.org.nz/aboutus.html

PS Join us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/National-Wetland-Trust-of-New-Zealand/108156912564305

Karen Denyer
Executive Officer
National Wetland Trust, PO Box 177, Pukekohe 2340
021 031 2716

AGM invitation 2010_rt.pdf

Saturday 11th September

Enviro Hui- Pikitu Marae

Organised by Waikato Enviornment Centre. Supported by Trust Waikato

Waste | Water | Land | Caring for our Environment

Para | Awa | Whenua | Kaitiakitanga | Te tiaki i te Taiao/manaakitia mai a Papatuanuku

This workshop is about environmental issues relevant to local iwi and hapu, specifically Pikitu Marae.
We will provide an overview of water quality and waste, hands on monitoring of Mangaorua Stream, a waste audit, making a compost, and some practical solutions on how to manage the environmental issues that are common to all of us. We will also develop a plan of action, and recommend support and potential funders.
We invite community groups in the area that are carrying out environmental projects, local iwi, and other environmental groups. This is a free event with catering provided.

For more details and to register

12th - 19th September CONSERVATION WEEK

DOC have a wonderful website set up especially for Conservation Week. Groups - enter your event -

Adding events
To add events using the online form: http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation-week-home/register-an-event
Images or documents (e.g. PDF entry forms) accompanying new events should be emailed to events@doc.govt.nz (specifying which event).

Hamilton City Council District Plan Review

Biodiversity hits the District Plan spotlight. Hamilton City Council is lifting the lid on its potential solutions to the city’s most significant issues, distributing a summary flyer to all residents and making it available online from 28 August. The flyer, entitled ‘Snapshot’, takes an easy to read look at how the city hopes to address Hamilton’s most pressing issues, and asks residents their opinion about what Council is thinking so far. Snapshot covers a range of issues, including how the city hopes to ensure future development protects Hamilton’s natural character and is in line with the City’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy. Residents are encouraged find out more and tell Council what they think by visiting www.fastforwardhamilton.co.nz or dropping into their local library for a copy of the full report and discussion document - Big Picture. The period for public comments closes on 29 October 2010. Paula Rolfe Project Manager District Plan Review.

Job Vacancy

Conservation Volunteers - Casual Team Leader Position

A position is available with Conservation Volunteers. The Casual Team Leader is responsible for the safety, welfare and supervision of volunteers on practical conservation projects. Please contact Yuki Fukuda, Catchment Care Programme Manager, Hamilton, Office: 7 859 2401, Mobile: 021 755 226

Email: yfukuda@conservationvolunteers.co.nz and see the website www.conservationvolunteers.co.nz

Funding

Biodiversity Contestable Advice and Condition Funds

The funding round is now closed. It is anticipated that the Funds will be open in September 2010 for applications and www.biodiversity.govt.nz/biofunds

Anyone proposing to submit an application, prior discussion with Fund staff is recommended. So if you have any questions or wish to discuss any aspect of your project or proposed application please feel free to call Katrina or Susie on 0800 86 2020.
How to apply You need to familiarise yourself with the Biodiversity Fund Guides and Exclusions for funding. http://www.biodiversity.govt.nz/land/nzbs/pvtland/conditionapps.html

Elections

Candidates' evenings that we know about so far:

30 August 10 am Celebrating Age Centre: Ham East Candidate and EW
6 Sept 10 am Celebrating Age Centre: Ham West Candidates and EW
8 Sept 7.30pm HCC Reception Lounge (for Better Transport - good for those with train concerns and other public transport matters)
9th September 7pm Western Community Centre Hyde Ave
14 September 7pm Knox Church Centre Albert St Hm East
15th Sept 7pm Te Runanga... Higgins Rd
16th Sept 7pm Sportsdrome, Pukete
20 th Sept 7pm Hamilton Garden Pavilian (organised by the Environment Centre, so particularly good for sustainability issues)
22nd Sept 7pm Melville Community Centre, Bader St
23 Sept 7pm GRB Hall Temple View

TRUST MANAGER

Contract Basis

Te Kauri Waikuku Trust is seeking a suitably experienced person to manage their activities and contracts.

They need to be passionate about the natural environment, and about giving kids the opportunity to experience and learn about our natural places. We need someone who can successfully manage our education and pest control contractors, and seek funding for the restoration work we are committed to undertaking in Te Kauri Reserve near Kawhia.

This person will need to be a self-employed contractor who can carry out this work on a service delivery basis, involving 8 hours per week on average, at a set hourly rate.

For more information contact Carolyn Lewis at info@tekauri.org.nz or on (0274) 434 431. Applications close 5pm, 27 August 2010.

Waste | Water | Land | Caring for our Environment

Para | Awa | Whenua | Kaitiakitanga | Te tiaki i te Taiao/manaakitia mai a Papatuanuku

This workshop is about environmental issues relevant to local iwi and hapu, specifically Pikitu Marae.

We will provide an overview of water quality and waste, hands on monitoring of Mangaorua Stream, a waste audit, making a compost, and some practical solutions on how to manage the environmental issues that are common to all of us. We will also develop a basic plan of action, and recommend support and potential funders.

We invite community groups in the area that are carrying out environmental projects, local iwi, and other environmental groups. This is a free event with catering provided.

Presenters:

Para kore, Environment Waikato, Landcare Trust, Biodiversity Forum, and the Waikato Environment Centre.

Pikitu Marae, Wiltsdown Road, Waotu, South Waikato.

Saturday 11^th September 2010. 9am gather for powhiri. 5pm close.

Please rsvp to rachael@envirocentre.org.nz | phone: 07 839 4452

Or book online: www.envirocentre.org.nz and view full programme.