Volunteers needed

TVNZ Breakfast at Dawn is on again this year on March 25th during the Balloons on the Waikato. The Environment Centre provides compostable plates and spoons at the free breakfast and takes the organic waste away to compost. Breakfast is provided for about 2000 people, so it is a good opportunity to promote education around preventing organic waste going to landfill.

We need volunteers who are happy to get up early in the morning to help dish out breakfast and monitor what is going into our bins. It is fun for all the family, with the balloons inflating and lifting off, and TV will be there as well.
If you are able to help could you pls contact Katherine at the Environment Centre, 839 4452 or email katherine@envirocentre.org.nz

Green Home Design – The economic advantages of sustainable energy efficiencies in the home

(one session has already taken place but you still have time to get to the rest)

Whether you are building or renovating this series will offer an introduction to the general concepts of ‘green homes’ and look at environmental impacts, the economic goals you may wish to achieve and the economics of energy efficiency.
Over four evenings participants will be advised of how to renovate an existing home to ensure energy efficiencies with a focus on options around water heating, appliances and the benefits of passive solar design. 

Options presented will also include discussion about appropriate use of alnternative energy sources such as solar, micro wind & hydro systems appropriate for domestic installation.  Energy efficiencies can also be achieved by examining water use and understanding water conservation in the home.

Tutor:             Ian Mayes, Eco-Design Advisor, Hamilton City Council
Times:            7pm – 9pm
Dates:             Tuesdays 9^th – 30^th March (4 weeks)
Venue:            LAIN Building, LAIN.G.27, University of Waikato (enter gate 1 off Knighton Road)

Fee:                 $25.00 (or $5.00 per session)
Course Code: CEAL384C

Contact Bev Collison at Continuing Education ph 858 5124

2010 Loder Cup award nominations

Nominations close at 5pm on 31 May 2010.

The Loder Cup is New Zealand’s premier conservation award.
Gerald Loder donated the Loder Cup in 1926 to “encourage and honour New Zealanders who work to investigate, promote, retain and cherish our indigenous flora”.
The Minister of Conservation awards the Loder Cup to a person or group of people who best represent the objectives of the Cup,to celebrate their outstanding conservation work in New Zealand.
For more information visit http://www.doc.govt.nz/getting-involved/events-and-awards/awards/loder-cup-award/

Film Screening on Wednesday night 7.30 - The Cove -
please forward to your contacts

Find out why this documentary won over 45 awards and was nominated for an Oscar.Rated M.

Gold coin koha.

Q&A session with Peggy Oki after the screenings.
Environment Centre Hamilton, 25 Ward St, Hamilton
Bookings essential for the Hamilton showing. Phone 839 4452

With special guest Peggy Oki who from August through November 2009,  served as “Cove Captain” liaison for the Save Japan Dolphins campaign in conjunction with screenings of “The Cove” in the Santa Barbara (California) area. In February 2010 she coordinated a premier screening in Dominica, and continues to work in this effort to raise awareness about the slaughter of cetaceans through the Origami Whales Project and the movie.

The Origami Whales Project has returned to New Zealand to raise awareness to the plight of dolphins locally as well as globally. A number of activities include a school visit the "Community & Environment Day" (6th of March 2010), and at least two free public screenings of "The Cove".
An Origami Maui's Dolphin Art Competition will be held. The winning 111 will be stitched together to send to the appropriate government office &/or exhibit to continue our efforts to express our concerns and ask the government to act swiftly to protect the remaining 111 of these critically endangered dolphins left. In 2009 the Origami Whales Project extended a helping hand to the critically Endangered Maui's & Hector's Dolphins of New Zealand. Please click here for information on the "Curtain of 1,111 Origami Maui's Dolphins" and how you can help the critically endangered Maui's & Hector's Dolphins.

Hi there,

I know that all you tech savvy ecowarriors will have facebook pages and be fans of a range of groups.
One that is gathering  fans (now up to 17733)  is Save Radio New Zealand. There have been protests in Auckland and Wellington and now it is Hamilton's turn to show politicians that we need to maintain a commercial-free quality information service. What other radio stations present environmental programmes? (apart from community radio)

So join Save Radio New Zealand group on facebook, and grab your little tranny and head on down on Saturday!

10am outside David Bennett's office in Grey St Hamilton East - near the Bridge St lights. 

(Those of you who do not have facebook pages - come into the 21st century!)

And while we're on Radio - here is an interesting site with a vast range of quality interviews, called "World of Possibilities" including an interesting one on Biomimicry, Designing with Nature, and another on poultry in the US Poultry pure and simple.

http://aworldofpossibilities.org/recent

Black gold is about international coffee trade and its ramifications on the farmers who grow it.

 At Waimarie Community Centre

53 Wellington Street, Hamilton East

7pm Wednesday 3rd March.

6th March Community and Environment Day
10.30am-3.30pm,  Kopua Domain, Raglan.

This is the 7th year that we have celebrated the Xtreme Waste recycled raft race and Maui Dolphin Day. It is our 3^rd year with Children’s Day and Seaweek attached, and this year, the Xtreme Waste recycled raft race, Children’s Day, Maui dolphin Day, and Seaweek have all combined again.
The Community House, Xtreme Waste and Whaingaroa Environment Centre have collaborated again to bring a huge line up of performers featuring; Dramatrix, Artfool, Whaingaroa Youth Movement, Story Telling, Mainly Music, Connor, a live band, and more!
There are loads of things for the kids (and adults too!); bouncy castle, face painting, sand building competition, rides, harekeke weaving, and big prizes for the raft race. Also, on the day; learn how to ride a unicycle, do the hula hoop, and make origami dolphins with Peggy Oki.
Happy 10^th Birthday to Xtreme Waste!

Two showings of award winning "The Cove"

Find out why this documentary won over 45 awards and was nominated for an Oscar. Rated M. Gold coin koha. Q&A session with Peggy Oki after the screenings.

1. Monday 8th March 7.30pm in Raglan
Raglan Old School Arts Centre. Stewart St

 2. Wednesday 10th March 7.30pm 
Environment Centre Hamilton
Bookings essential for the Hamilton showing. Phone 839 4452

With special guest Peggy Oki who from August through November 2009,  served as “Cove Captain” liaison for the Save Japan Dolphins campaign in conjunction with screenings of “The Cove” in the Santa Barbara (California) area. In February 2010 she coordinated a premier screening in Dominica, and continues to work in this effort to raise awareness about the slaughter of cetaceans through the Origami Whales Project and the movie.

The Origami Whales Project has returned to New Zealand to raise awareness to the plight of dolphins locally as well as globally. A number of activities include a school visit the "Community & Environment Day" (6th of March 2010), and at least two free public screenings of "The Cove".
An Origami Maui's Dolphin Art Competition will be held. The winning 111 will be stitched together to send to the appropriate government office &/or exhibit to continue our efforts to express our concerns and ask the government to act swiftly to protect the remaining 111 of these critically endangered dolphins left. In 2009 the Origami Whales Project extended a helping hand to the critically Endangered Maui's & Hector's Dolphins of New Zealand. Please click here for information on the "Curtain of 1,111 Origami Maui's Dolphins" and how you can help the critically endangered Maui's & Hector's Dolphins.

Lecture series at University of Waikato

Tuesday 2nd March, 7pm - 9pm

Living Legacies presents a Natural Funeral Workshop

We all have to deal with funerals at some stage - here is a way to reduce the impact on your wallet as well as treating the earth more kindly - and natural burial parks could be something we can encourage HCC to look at

Tutor - Lynda Hannah

Hamilton Envirocentre Ward Street, Hamilton

Come and find out about:
How and why to plan your own funeral
How to arrange a funeral for someone you love
How to save thousands of dollars in funeral expenses
The environmental implications of the funeral industry
The value of a meaningful celebration of life
Natural burial parks

$40 per person or $70 per couple
(Handouts available if prepaid by February 28)
Please phone: 07 839 4452
Or email: Lynda@livinglegacies.co.nz
For more information visit: www.livinglegacies.co.nz

Good Life Expo this Saturday - 27th February

10 - 4pm  Lots of intersting speakers.Bring the family.
We could do with a couple more helpers on the Environment Centre stand if anyone is interested - supervising 'count the worms competition' etc - all fun.  Happy for you to bring info from your group to peddle to passers by. Please phone Katherine 839 4452 or email.

Also on the same day, but come to the Good Life Expo afterwards (finishes in Ham East) :-

Waikato Chicken Run

27th February 2010
9—12.30pm
Join us for a unique Waikato tour experience as we raise funds for the Relay For Life AgRelayze team

Our tour will include:
Cluckingham Palace @ Meg’s Eggs
Chickens kept in town
Spot prizes  
SUPERB MORNING TEA

$20 per adult or $50 for family of 4
Learn all about keeping chooks
Places are limited so book NOW: liz.carpenter@agresearch.co.nz
NB Not suitable for young children who might get ‘bored’

Jobs for Volunteers:

I have been asked if there are any projects that a group of perhaps 7 people could do - need 4 weeks notice, varying levels of fitness but probably not high, being sponsored by their employer, so a weekday. So if your group is needing something done let Katherine know - 839 4452

Hamilton Pedestrian Study - more open days:

Hamilton City Council, in partnership with Beca Infrastructure Ltd (consulting engineers), is carrying out a pedestrian study focusing on several sites around the city,which have already been sent out. Further to that there will be another open day:

Open day details:
Waikato Table Tennis Centre, Edgecumbe Street, Hamilton
10:00am – 12:00pm, Monday 1st March 2010

 Community Street Review details:

Collingwood/Tristram intersection : meet in the Wintec carpark on the southern corner 10:00am Friday 5th March 2010

Grey Street: meet at corner of Grey and Brookfield streets, outside the dairy 2:00pm Friday 5th March 2010

Five Cross Roads: meet at corner of Enderley and Peachgrove, outside the shops  10:00am Saturday 6th March 2010

Boundary Road: meet at Waikato Migrant Resource Centre carpark, Boundary Road
5:15pm  Monday 8th March 2010

Fairfield Bridge: meet outside the French Café, River Road
10:00am  Tuesday 9th March 2010

Steve Taylor
Active Travel Coordinator
Phone: 07 838 6949
Email: steve.taylor@hcc.govt.nz

This weekend
Permaculture Design Course starting Saturday - there are just a few spaces if anyone else is interested in doing it.
Also a few spaces on the organic gardening course beginning March 10.
Phone Cheryl 834 2249.

Tuesday February 22

Hamilton City Council, in partnership with Beca Infrastructure Ltd (consulting engineers) is carrying out a pedestrian study focusing on several sites around the city, including:

* Boundary Rd
* Five Cross Rds
* Grey St from Naylor St to Cobham Drive
* Collingwood/ Tristram intersection
* Fairfield Bridge, including intersections with Victoria St and River Rd
* The urban State Highway network

The focus of this project is to identify potential improvements in pedestrian facilities. This may include refuge islands, improvements to existing footpaths, new footrpath links or new crossing points, for example.

 We would like community input into the pedestrian study. Your feedback is invited through...your attendance at an open day to be held at
Hamilton City Council Reception Centre, Garden Place
Time: 10.00am to 2.00pm
If you are unable to attend in person, you might like to express your opinions by email to Steve Taylor, Active Travel Coordinator, HCC, email steve.taylor@hcc.govt.nz and to Bridget Burdett, Traffic Safety Engineer, Beca, email bridget.burdett@beca.com

Saturday 27th February

Good Life Expo

If you haven't booked a stall yet, hurry! phone Cheryl 834 2249
Get along there with your family and friends, it will be a fun and interesting day. Check out the permaculture website for details - www.permaham.boo.co.nz

Pukemokemoke

Next working bees at Pukemokemoke are on Sat 20th and 27th Feb, and March and April. All 1pm to 4pm. Most of our time will be spent clearing the plants that went in during last winter. Bring a sickle and gloves.....
A reminder also to those of you who are ‘Friends’ or who would like to become a ‘Friend of Pukemokemoke’: I hope you continue to pay for the privilege of looking after this scenic gem! Subs of $10- per ‘Friend’ or $20- per family are due by the 1st April. The money from subs supplements the money we spend on enrichment planting, development of new tracks, weed control and the like. Being a ‘Friend’ means you have a voice on the Bush Reserve Trust through Sue Smith, a member of the Trust representing the ‘Friends’.

Your sub can be banked electronically, OR sent to Pukemokemoke Trust, c/o Guardian Trust, PO Box 1375, Hamilton OR given to myself or one of the Trustees. The account number at Westpac Bank is 0301040984913 01 (please quote the reference no 19956802 Pukemokemoke if you are setting up an annual automatic payment).
The Waikato Botanical Society are planning a plant species count at Pukemokemoke on Saturday 17th April. If any of you would like to join the group’s activity on this occasion please be at the parking area and bridge at 10am.

Tuesday 2nd March, 7pm - 9pm

Living Legacies presents a Natural Funeral Workshop

Tutor - Lynda Hannah

Hamilton Envirocentre Ward Street, Hamilton

Come and find out about:
How and why to plan your own funeral
How to arrange a funeral for someone you love
How to save thousands of dollars in funeral expenses
The environmental implications of the funeral industry
The value of a meaningful celebration of life
Natural burial parks

$40 per person or $70 per couple
(Handouts available if prepaid by February 28)
Please phone: 07 839 4452
Or email: Lynda@livinglegacies.co.nz
For more information visit: www.livinglegacies.co.nz

Thursday, 04 March 2010

Planning for Volunteer Involvement

Workshop Facilitator: Jenny Magee

Spaces are Limited…REGISTER NOW!!

8.45am – 1pm

We can send you the volunteers that you need to effectively run your organisation and provide your services - but do you know how to manage those volunteers? Do you know how to best recruit, select, orientate, support, manage and appreciate your volunteers?
Do you know why they are volunteering for you? If you don’t, then how can you know if they are getting what they need.
How do you meet their needs? What policies do you need to protect your volunteers - and your organisation?
We can help!!

 VENUE: New Zealand Red Cross – Northern Midland Region
422 Te Rapa Road, Hamilton (next to Bunnings)
To register contact Volunteering Waikato for a form - Volunteering Waikato - P O Box 19111, Hamilton, 3244 ● Phone: 07 839 3191 Fax: 07 839 7987 ● Email: admin@volunteeringwaikato.org.nz

Volunteers wanted:

Volunteers wanted for our Night Glow (Saturday, 27th March). We are looking for 16 volunteers to help out with recycling by 'manning' the recycling stations and encouraging patrons to recycle. Contact Julia on 8384645 or email me at julia@balloonsoverwaikato.co.nz.

Tagging butterflies

Here's a great project for those who are looking for an environmental project that is low cost and hands on - tagging Monarch butterflies.
It is easy to grow swan plants, and the Monarch Butterfly NZ Trust will gladly supply free seed to schools that require them, just send a self-addressed envelope and request to MBNZT, C/- NZ Post, Russell 0242.
There is full information about the tagging project here:

 http://www.monarch.org.nz/monarch/projects/taggingtransects/