Events

Help with Weeding at Bushy Point February 2024

Otatara Landcare Group is organising tree releasing sessions at Bushy Point each Wednesday in February, starting 7 February, and possibly extending into March, from 6.30-7.30pm, weather permitting.

Meet at the Bryson Rd entrance to Bushy Point (or walk along to the lookout and you’ll find us).

Please bring: shoes or gumboots suitable for working in long grass and lupins; gardening gloves; clothing suitable for the expected weather conditions; a face mask if you are allergic to dust or grass seeds; safety (or other) glasses to protect eyes when weeding amid tall grass stalks; secateurs and/or a small pruning saw if possible for working in the lupins; optionally, a pair of sharp garden shears suitable for cutting grass.

Feel free to join the working bee at any stage, and only stay for as long as you can.

Please contact Douglas Black on 022 104 8661 for more information if required.

Free screening of the documentary 'Rohe Kōreporepo – The Swamp the Sacred Place'

To celebrate World Wetlands Day, Environment Southland is hosting a screening of ‘Rohe Kōreporepo – The Swamp the Sacred Place’. This is a documentary film showcasing various wetland restoration projects around Aotearoa. This film is suitable for all ages - families welcome! Follow this link to view a trailer of the film: https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/rohe-koreporepo-swamp-sacred-place-2021

Following the screening (70 mins) there will be time for questions and answers with some local wetland restoration experts. A cash-bar is available for refreshments.

Admission is free.

Where: Centre Stage, 33 Don Street, Invercargill 9810

When: Thursday 1st February, 2024. Doors open at 6pm, screening begins at 7pm.

Please register your attendance for this event using this link

Time to Celebrate!

Writing Strong Funding Applications

Free! Open to all groups but please register so we know numbers: [Enable JavaScript to view protected content]

Thanks!

Come and hear advice from funders on how to write great applications - and have a catch up with other conservation groups.

Planting Day - Kowhai Reach

When: 1pm Sunday 29 October (NOTE: date changed from 27 October due to weather forecast)

Where: Kowhai Reach - access is via Chris and Charleen Withy’s farm (134 Bemore-Kauana Road). Access will be via the tanker access which is located 1.2 km north of the house at: https://goo.gl/maps/q28qYM4ACjAZnZTb8. We will likely park near the dairy shed and then carpool to reduce the number of vehicles crossing the farm, please bring a 4x4 if you can as the paddock could still be a bit sticky this time of the year.

What: We have 600 trees to plant, so please tell all your friends, the more the merrier! You will need to bring your own spade, work gloves and wear practical clothing and sensible shoes for the weather and activity. Also bring personal gear you may need such as any medicine, water bottle, sunhat, snacks/packed lunch. Please do not bring dogs and if bringing any children they need to supervised at all times as we will be on a working farm with the usual hazards plus a planting along a steep-sided streambank.

Who: This event is open to anyone who is interested, please let your catchment group coordinator or myself know if you intend to come so we can get a basic idea of numbers for the day. Jesse Bythell (Southland QEII rep) 020 400 32109 [Enable JavaScript to view protected content]

Why: Kowhai Reach is a rare ecosystem protected for over 40 years by local farmers. Supplementary planting will give the forest a boost to ensure it has a long and healthy future. You can learn a bit more about the site here: https://www.sern.org.nz/project-directory/kowhai-reach-kauana/

PLEASE NOTE: there is a also a Southland Ecological Restoration Network (SERN) field trip to Kowhai Reach on 11 November which you are also welcome to attend. For more information about this other event follow this link and scroll down to “SERN Spring Field Trip - A Meander through Central Southland”: https://www.sern.org.nz/events/