Far North Environment Centre

Postponed: DB Nursery Working Bee, to Wed March 28

20th March 2012 7:22PM

Due to Wild Weather, the DB Nursery Working bee is postponed until NEXT WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28

Last week saw a great turn-out, with more than 20 people volunteering their time to progress the nursery project in Mangonui.

A huge amount of weeding was completed, thanks to the invaluable experience and efforts of a group of local ladies and the enthusiasm of the local NorthTec horticulture students. A keen eye for plant i.d. was required as the plan is to leave the native plants to grow (manuka to provide shade and shelter, kumarahou for rongoa, and a wee Isolepis that creates a short, grassy ground cover), while dealing to the nuisance weeds so they won't seed into the potted plants.

Evan's Hort class tackles the big stuff

The Builders from the Bush made great progress on the potting shed, framing up the roof and getting the benches well underway

and the Valley Girls showed that you can't be too old or too young for gardening!

Next week the building and weeding will continue, with the potting shed and shadehouses due for completion and more work on the potting mix bins.

When: we'll be on site from 10am to 3pm

Where: 6 Wrathall Road, Mangonui (just past the Fire Station)

Bring: hat, drink, lunch.

Enquiries: call Soozee on 4085093 or 022 1407546

or email soozee@ecocentre.co.nz

http://news.ecocentre.co.nz/posts/next-db-nursery-working-bee-march-21/

Working Bee at DB Catchment Nursery, Wednesday 14 March

10th March 2012 11:06AM

Weeding, Nailing, Planting!

It's time for a tidy-up and progressing the building at the Doubtless Bay Community Catchment Nursery in Mangonui so we can create a home for these babies - which will need potting on soon and space to grow!

If you have some spare time on Wednesday this week, call round to the nursery, which is at 6 Wrathall Road - just past the Fire Sation - in Mangonui.

The crew will be there between 10 am and 4pm, so even if you only have half an hour to spare we can hand you a grubber and you can be useful!

Bring a hat, drink, and lunch if you're staying for the duration.

Contact soozee@ecocentre.co.nz or soozee on 4085093 for any futher info. If weather looks too awful a message will go out Wednesday before 8am with rescheduling info.

http://news.ecocentre.co.nz/posts/working-bee-at-db-catchment-nursery-wednesday-14-march/

Job Opportunity: Environment Centre Manager

13th February 2012 2:36PM

WANTED!

The Far North Environment Centre is seeking a self-motivated person for the position of Officer Manager to manage the administration, operation and management requirements of the Far North Environment Centre. The successful applicant will be encouraged to extend their hours by accessing further funding.

Click on the following link to access the Job Description.

FNEC Managers Job Description.pdf

Please post applications and resumes to:

PO Box 503,

Kaitaia, 0441,

And email to Jackie at admin@ecocentre.co.nz

http://news.ecocentre.co.nz/posts/environment-centre-manager/

Kaikohe Produce Market Starts Wednesday Feb 15

8th February 2012 1:21PM

Tena tatou katoa :-)

Starting on Wednesday, 15th February

from 4pm - 7pm

will begin at the Log Cabin and Kowhai Reserve in Kaikohe.

Please see the attached flyer.

The Market will be weekly at this site up until the end of April when weather may force us to look at an undercover option.

Sites will be gold coin donation, so that even the tiniest producer can afford to bring along even just their backyard extras to sell, koha, swap, barter... Council has waived fees for the market to see how things progress and we have some excellent support from them and the Community Board. The Community Board suggested that outlying areas from Kaikohe should get together to bring in their produce on a roster basis. So, if you have neighbours that would like to join in then get together and form a roster!

The market is not limited to organic growers but we will encourage people to advertise the fact if they are certified, or spray free etc....

Sites are also open for home/whanau craft producers, with a focus on crafts made from natural materials grown/gathered by the craftsperson. We will not be open for second hand goods, sausage sizzles etc.... This is a producers market for those trying to sustain themselves from the whenua, raise some money for their group or just happy to find some different fruits to swap, rather than eat all those plums that are about! (or tired of making jam ;-)

We will not be able to sell processed food items under our licence. However, if you have your own certificate to do so, then please bring along your products and certificates.

Lots of food for thought! So please tell your whanau, friends, neighbours....about this opportunity. If you can, print the attached flyer and put it up at your local school, shop, workplace....

Success for everyone will depend greatly on the volume, regularity and variety of kai/seedlings/seeds/crafts/plants etc available and the numbers of people who come to do their weekly groceries! Please contact us if you would like more information, have great ideas to contribute and would like to book a site.

Mauri Ora!!! Teremoana Jones

Secretary: Taitokerau Organic Producers Incorporated Society

A holistic approach to sustainable management of Hua Parakore and all natural physical resources.

PO Box 482

T: 09 405 2580

E: topis@xtra.co.nz

W:http://www.topis.co.nz

flyer 2.pdf

http://news.ecocentre.co.nz/posts/kaikohe-produce-market-starts-wednesday-feb-15/

Public urged to declare war on Taiwan cherry

20th July 2011 3:25PM

Its pretty pink flowers are viewed by some as a welcome sign of spring’s approach, but Northlanders are being urged to join forces to tackle Taiwan cherry because of the invasive risk it poses to our native bush.

Tony Davies-Colley with a Taiwan cherry tree that is just starting to flower in Whangarei. The Northland Regional Council member wants people to kill as many of the invasive trees as possible.

Northland Regional Council member Tony Davies-Colley says Taiwan cherry (Prunus campanulata) was imported from east Asia in the 1960s as an ornamental species to brighten gardens in late winter.

“Unfortunately, in a relatively short time it has become very invasive and is visible – especially at this time of year – right throughout Northland, but especially in and close to built-up areas.”

“We have many beautiful native bush areas in Northland and this unwanted tree is changing the character of them. It’s also a weed in public reserve areas and rampant on roadsides.”

Cr Davies-Colley – a member of the council’s Environmental Management Committee - says although it’s illegal for people to sell, propagate or distribute Taiwan cherry in Northland, its seeds are unfortunately still being widely spread by birds.

“Taiwan cherry seed can be carried for many kilometres by birds and you can see evidence of that in places like Whangarei’s Western Hills, especially at this time of year as they start to flower.”

Cr Davies-Colley says aside from the pretty look of the tree, he’s aware that some people view Taiwan cherry as a good food source to attract native bird species, but says a mixture of sugar and water in a bowl will lure them to gardens just as well.

Similarly, there are a number of trees – including other non-invasive species of flowering cherry - that can be grown instead of Taiwan cherry and he has a blunt message for his fellow Northlanders - “I’m asking them to kill it.”

He says with Taiwan cherry typically starting to sport its characteristic pink, bell-shaped flowers at this time of year, it can be easily identified and taken care of.

“We need people to realise that the time they’re flowering is a great time to deal with these trees and they should take advantage of this window of opportunity.”

Cr Davies-Colley says as well as dealing with Taiwan cherry trees on their own property, he’s urging people to take a walk around their neighbourhood and speak to others with the trees and see if they need help to remove them.

Don McKenzie, the council’s Biosecurity Senior Programme Manager, says larger trees can be ring-barked and treated with one part glyphosate to four parts water or drilled with holes every 200-300ml around the trunk and 10-15 ml of undiluted glyphosate injected in. (A small bottle with a nozzle is good for this.)

“Cut stems need to be treated with the herbicide glyphosate (Round-up) at a rate of 200ml/litre. Ensure the stem is treated down to the ground within 15 minutes of cutting.”

Mr McKenzie says smaller plants can be controlled by simply pulling them out at any time of the year, while seedlings can be sprayed.

“Larger infestations of seedlings can be over-sprayed with glyphosate at 100ml per 10 litres water. Follow-up will be required for four to five years to ensure any ungerminated seeds still in the soil are taken care of it they do eventually germinate.”

Mr McKenzie says people wanting to know more about tackling Taiwan cherry – or other pest plants or animals – can contact members of the council’s biosecurity team on 0800 002 004.

Alternatively, information is available on line at www.nrc.govt.nz/pestmanagement

http://news.ecocentre.co.nz/posts/public-urged-to-declare-war-on-taiwan-cherry/

Drains to Harbour Programme for schools and communities

19th July 2011 2:08PM

The Drains to Harbour (DTH) programme empowers schools and communities by providing hands-on experiences in the environment. After these experiences, students are encouraged to put their knowledge into action within the community.

The ‘Drains-to-Harbour’ campaign offers:

Free posters, brochures and relevant information for your school to keep
Free stormwater pollution presentation (led by MTSCT educator, using PowerPoint, video and sound)
Free coordination/organisation of field trips to local stream and drain stencilling sites
Free curriculum and safety management planning with teachers involved
Free coordination of volunteers to assist on field trips

To register your school’s interest and arrange an initial meeting, please contact Kim Jones by email or phone:

To email Kim: Click here

Phone: 09 434 0779

Mobile: 027 243 4818

http://news.ecocentre.co.nz/posts/drains-to-harbour-programme/

NEW Waste Exchange Website. Please re-register as members and re-register your materials

4th July 2011 11:25AM

The Waste Exchange are pleased to inform you that the Waste Exchange website has received a long overdue upgrade which should eliminate all of the issues that many of you have been experiencing.

The Waste Exchange is an online tool designed to help your business/organisation find markets for by-products, surplus materials and waste. Through The Waste Exchange, waste generators can find alternative pathways to landfill for their wastes through connecting with organisations and people who are able to reuse unwanted materials.

The Waste Exchange is a free service available to all business and industry and may be used by non-profit organisations, schools and individuals to locate materials they need.

All current members of The Waste Exchange will need to re-register as a new member and also re-register any materials you had previously listed on the site. Part of the improvement process, and to enable this new site to be a success, everything must be deleted from the old site. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and ask you to please complete the simple registration process on the new site by clicking here.

As you may be aware the old site was developed in 1999 and as a result the old web coding has been causing a number of issues including showing very old and no longer available material listings.

The Waste Exchange have been working hard with the help of a web developer to design a new site that is far more user friendly, more modern, meets your needs and most importantly a site that will rectify all the issues you‘ve informed them of.

Welcome to the new Waste Exchange, enjoy!

For more information please contact The Waste Exchange by clicking on the link below:

The Waste Exchange Team
www.nothrow.co.nz

http://news.ecocentre.co.nz/posts/new-waste-exchange-website-please-re-register-as-members-and-re/

BP vouchers for volunteers

23rd June 2011 2:06PM

BP Vouchers for Volunteers 2011

Applications will be accepted between 20^th June – 15^th July 2011.

Every day, thousands of volunteers give up their spare time to the communities they live in and help others who are less fortunate. These volunteers are an essential part of New Zealand society. If you’re a volunteer, then BP want to help you reduce costs.

Since 2006, BP Vouchers for Volunteers has recognised these efforts by donating thousands of BP fuel vouchers to organisations that have volunteers working in our local communities. BP New Zealand recognises that the cost of running vehicles has a big impact on these community organisations, so we want to do our bit to help out.

To find out if your organisation is eligible to apply, simply visit BP online at www.bp.co.nz

BP New Zealand supports a wide range of sponsorship initiatives and investment projects in the community. BP Vouchers for Volunteers is our way of assisting volunteers and supporting local New Zealanders.

http://news.ecocentre.co.nz/posts/bp-vouchers-for-volunteers/

Algae can treat your wastewater and then fill up your tank - A Clean Green 2-for-1

23rd June 2011 2:00PM

Just what are algae capable of? According to researchers at the Rochester Institute of Technology, just about anything short of mixing a cocktail. They can clean your wastewater, fuel up your car, and then help grow a fish for your dinner.

Associate professor of biological sciences Jeff Lodge (click here for more information) says his team of researchers initially had more modest aspirations: they were interested in producing biodiesel from algae and were looking for a cheaper source of nutrients to grow the algae. Other researchers had previously grown algae in wastewater from dairy farms, and municipal wastewater seemed worth a try as well.

“And we found out our algae just love it,” Lodge says of the wastewater from two nearby municipal treatment plants. “Then it just kind of struck us, well, what are they doing to the wastewater?”

The team measured the nutrient levels in the water and found that after about three days of growth, the algae remove virtually all of the undesirable compounds such as ammonia, phosphate, and nitrate. In addition, they deplete carbon dioxide from the water, which raises the pH - and kills off pathogens.

Professor Jeff Lodge and graduate student Eric Lannan explore algae as a biodiesel fuel

To carry out the treatment, the researchers simply add algae to a tank or pond of wastewater and wait. The approach probably wouldn’t be suitable for large, urban plants that must rapidly process high volumes of water. But it could be helpful in rural communities, especially where rapid exurban growth is straining the capacity of existing plants. And since it requires minimal infrastructure, it could also be used in poorer countries where wastewater treatment is currently lacking.

After a few days, the team pumps the water out of the tanks, dries out the algae, and then processes the algae to remove the lipids—the raw material for biodiesel. The rest of the algae biomass can be used in aquaculture, burned in a biodigester to produce methane, or converted into ethanol. None of these ideas is entirely new, but the team has combined a number of existing green technologies in a tidy, cradle-to-cradle system. “We’re using the whole algae for everything and there’s no waste at all,” Lodge says.

Sarah DeWeerdt - Conservation Magazine

http://news.ecocentre.co.nz/posts/algae-can-treat-your-wastewater-and-then-fill-up-your-tank-a-cle/

World's oceans in 'shocking' decline

21st June 2011 12:39PM

By Richard Black - Environment correspondent, BBC News 20 June 2011

The oceans are in a worse state than previously suspected, according to an expert panel of scientists.

In a new report, they warn that ocean life is "at high risk of entering a phase of extinction of marine species unprecedented in human history".

They conclude that issues such as over-fishing, pollution and climate change are acting together in ways that have not previously been recognised.

The impacts, they say, are already affecting humanity.

Coral reefs are subject to "multiple stressors" that could destroy many within a human generation. Photo IPSO

The panel was convened by the International Programme on the State of the Ocean (IPSO), and brought together experts from different disciplines, including coral reef ecologists, toxicologists, and fisheries scientists.

Its report will be formally released later this week.

"The findings are shocking," said Alex Rogers, IPSO's scientific director and professor of conservation biology at Oxford University.

"As we considered the cumulative effect of what humankind does to the oceans, the implications became far worse than we had individually realised.

"We've sat in one forum and spoken to each other about what we're seeing, and we've ended up with a picture showing that almost right across the board we're seeing changes that are happening faster than we'd thought, or in ways that we didn't expect to see for hundreds of years."

These "accelerated" changes include melting of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets, sea level rise, and release of methane trapped in the sea bed.

Fast changes

"The rate of change is vastly exceeding what we were expecting even a couple of years ago," said Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, a coral specialist from the University of Queensland in Australia.

"So if you look at almost everything, whether it's fisheries in temperate zones or coral reefs or Arctic sea ice, all of this is undergoing changes, but at a much faster rate than we had thought."

But more worrying than this, the team noted, are the ways in which different issues act synergistically to increase threats to marine life.

Some pollutants, for example, stick to the surfaces of tiny plastic particles that are now found in the ocean bed.

This increases the amounts of these pollutants that are consumed by bottom-feeding fish.

Plastic particles also assist the transport of algae from place to place, increasing the occurrence of toxic algal blooms - which are also caused by the influx of nutrient-rich pollution from agricultural land.

In a wider sense, ocean acidification, warming, local pollution and overfishing are acting together to increase the threat to coral reefs - so much so that three-quarters of the world's reefs are at risk of severe decline.

Carbon deposit

Life on Earth has gone through five "mass extinction events" caused by events such as asteroid impacts; and it is often said that humanity's combined impact is causing a sixth such event.

The IPSO report concludes that it is too early to say definitively.

But the trends are such that it is likely to happen, they say - and far faster than any of the previous five.

"What we're seeing at the moment is unprecedented in the fossil record - the environmental changes are much more rapid," Professor Rogers told BBC News.

"We've still got most of the world's biodiversity, but the actual rate of extinction is much higher [than in past events] - and what we face is certainly a globally significant extinction event."

Some species are already fished way beyond their limits - and may also be affected by other threats. Photo Getty Images

The report also notes that previous mass extinction events have been associated with trends being observed now - disturbances of the carbon cycle, and acidification and hypoxia (depletion of oxygen) of seawater.

Levels of CO2 being absorbed by the oceans are already far greater than during the great extinction of marine species 55 million years ago (during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum), it concludes

Blue planet

The report's conclusions will be presented at UN headquarters in New York this week, when government delegates begin discussions on reforming governance of the oceans.

IPSO's immediate recommendations include:

stopping exploitative fishing now, with special emphasis on the high seas where currently there is little effective regulation
mapping and then reducing the input of pollutants including plastics, agricultural fertilisers and human waste
making sharp reductions in greenhouse gas emissions

Carbon dioxide levels are now so high, it says, that ways of pulling the gas out of the atmosphere need to be researched urgently - but not using techniques, such as iron fertilisation, that lead to more CO2 entering the oceans.

"We have to bring down CO2 emissions to zero within about 20 years," Professor Hoegh-Guldberg told BBC News.

"If we don't do that, we're going to see steady acidification of the seas, heat events that are wiping out things like kelp forests and coral reefs, and we'll see a very different ocean."

In the long run, greenhouse gas emissions must be cut to conserve ocean life, the report concludes. Photo AFP

Another of the report's authors, Dan Laffoley, marine chair of the World Commission on Protected Areas and an adviser to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), admitted the challenges were vast.

"But unlike previous generations, we know what now needs to happen," he said.

"The time to protect the blue heart of our planet is now."

By Richard Black - Environment correspondent, BBC News 20 June 2011

http://news.ecocentre.co.nz/posts/worlds-oceans-in-shocking-decline/