Events

Friends of Thomson's Bush working bee

Meet 9:55am in the car park.

We have been clearing the block near to the track parallel to Gimblet St. This contains a large patch of willows and the same area has had some kohuhu and kahikatea planted there in the past. Added to this there are elder bushes, Copsrosma robusta, ivy and blackberrry: plenty to clear!

With thanks to Ron And Edna Greenwood Environmental Trust for funds to purchase more herbicide for our ongoing pest plant control.

and HUGE THANKS to the helpers, of all ages, who have contributed their time and energy over the school holidays :)

Waikawa Community Nursery working bee

The Waikawa Community Nursery is holding a fifth working bee to set-up the nursery - this time we’re putting together a kitset storage shed and setting up a place for plants to grow and harden off. You’ll find us behind the Waikawa Museum.

Please feel free to come down and help out or learn more about plans for the nursery. You might like to bring gloves and a thermos in case it’s cold day. All are welcome.

For more information contact:

Kelsi Hayes (027 349 5850) or Jesse Bythell (020 400 32109)

Email: [Enable JavaScript to view protected content]

Mini Forest Movement Native Plant Nursery drop-in session

Our Nursery Drop in Sessions are the first Tuesday of every month, 4pm – 6pm
AB Lime Nursery, 10 Bend Road, Winton

All welcome to come to our monthly native plant growing working-bee evenings at the AB Lime Nursery. Your help will go toward growing plants for the Mid Oreti Mini Forest Movement Project, which provides native plants to the local community and landowners for their planting projects. Training is provided and all ages welcome! Stay for as little or as long as you like.

Setting up the Waikawa Nursery - 2nd Working Bee

Working bee 6 April 2025

We’re holding a second working bee to set-up the nursery. Please feel free to come down and help out or learn more about plans for the nursery. You might like to bring gloves and something to drink in case it’s a warm day or a thermos if it’s cooler (no it won’t be snowing but the photo is lovely!). All are welcome.

For more information (and time to be there) contact:

Kelsi Hayes (027 349 5850) or Jesse Bythell (020 400 32109)

Email: [Enable JavaScript to view protected content]

SERN Autumn Field Trip: Waituna

SERN Autumn Field Day – Saturday 5th April 2025 Large Scale Ecological Restoration

This autumn we are offering a bus trip to Waituna Wetlands and surrounds, hosted by Whakamana te Waituna Trust

In 2018 the Whakamana te Waituna Charitable Trust was formed following years of collaborative work by the farming community, agencies, iwi and others to reduce impacts on Waituna Lagoon/Waipārera.

Members of the Trust include Awarua Rūnanga, Ngāi Tahu, Southland District Council, Environment Southland, Department of Conservation, Fonterra and a Waituna Catchment community representative.

Outline of Day: (times approximate)

8.45am: meet at Feldwick Gates, Queens Park

9.00am: bus to leave Invercargill for Waituna. (commentary along the way of WtW programmes)

10.00am: Webster Block. Restoration plans and biodiversity credits. (Discussion on bus.)

10.30am: DOC – Waghorn block. Large scale restoration with flax and mixed species.

12 noon: Lunch time at Te Wai Parera Trust’s wetland, Waghorn Rd. (BBQ lunch provided.)

12.45pm: Vision and plans for restoration of area. (Walk to wetland.)

2.15pm: WLG Gravel Pit Restoration. (Discussion on bus.)

2.30pm: DOC planting trials. (Discussion on bus.)

3.00pm: White Pine Rd. DOC Lower Waituna Creek restoration work. (45 minute stop)

4.00pm: Return to Invercargill, with drive through of Manuka Mire Farm.

All welcome! Bus: free but booking essential. RSVP for queries, map of route and to book a seat to Gay Munro ([Enable JavaScript to view protected content])

Thank you to Environment Southland for generously funding the bus and to Whakamana te Waituna for hosting the day.

Friends of Kew Bush planting day

10am Meet at the picnic table

Wear clothes for the weather, bring tools for planting if you have them and a snack & water.

All welcome - bring the family!