Events

Castledowns Wetland Working Bee

Ann Irving reports on this Rural Women restoration project - There has been a lot of activity in the wetland lately with a new track, trees poisoned, track and spots sprayed, and traps checked. We would love to have more people to help with some of the planting, or general maintenance on the 23 April. Come when you are able, but 1.30 if you have not been before and we can share some of the highlights of the area. Bring afternoon tea. All Welcome. For more information contact Ann on 027 656 9319. Check out this project at https://www.sern.org.nz/project-directory/castle-downs-dipton-wetlands/

Weed ID Workshop at Southland Community Nursery

To be held at Southland Community Nursery Education Centre, 185 Grant Rd, from 10.00am to 12.00pm.

Calling all green-thumbed locals – are you looking to brush up on your weed identification skills? Environment Southland, together with Otatara Landcare Group and the Southland Community Nursery, are holding a Weed ID Workshop to help Southland’s stunning native trees and plants to flourish.

Biosecurity officers Rachel and Walter will be on hand to discuss any weed issues and challenges. They will also have a display of specific weed samples that they regularly control for Southland. Bring along your weeds and have them identified by the experts and learn how to control them.

Learn about Chris and Brian Rance’s restoration area, the community nursery’s wonderful native plants, how to grow them and find out about local volunteering opportunities. You’ll be able to learn about what you can grow that is native to the area. You may also get the chance to swap a weed for a local native plant seedling!

Check it out on Environment Southland’s Facebook page.

Forest & Bird's 100 Years Celebration

Join Forest & Bird’s Big Birthday Bash, celebrating 100 years of working for nature. This is one of three events being organised by Forest & Bird throughout Aotearoa. This one being held in the lower South Island will be at the Lenz Reserve, Tautuku (614 Chaslands Highway), a bush covered property jointly run by Southland, South Otago and Dunedin branches of Forest & Bird. Join us at 12 midday for a BYO picnic lunch. Hot & cold beverages and birthday cake provided.

Hear about locally-supported conservation projects in the SE Catlins. Join guided walks within the Lenz Reserve and surrounds. Children’s activities also provided.

All welcome! For more info contact Roy Johnstone (03) 418 1319 [Enable JavaScript to view protected content] or check it out at https://www.forestandbird.org.nz/events/big-birthday-bash-lenz-reserve-catlins

Mid-Dome Wilding Pine Day

The Mid Dome Wilding Trees Charitable Trust is looking for volunteers for a pine-pull day.

Volunteers need to have good general fitness, and transportation is provided for those travelling from Invercargill, Lumsden and Five Rivers. Hand tools are provided for use on the day.

If you are keen to attend contact us by Friday, 10 March so we can provide you with more information about the day. To register and for more information contact the trust’s administrator on 021 344 010, or you can email at [Enable JavaScript to view protected content].

Check this project out under SERN’s Project Directory, Northern Southland.

OLG's Bushy Point Planting Maintenance

Working Bee at Bushy Point 1-3pm - meet at Bryson Road or wander through and see where we are working.

The plantings carried out on Tree Planting Day last September will be checked first, then we will move on to other areas where some seedlings still need releasing from encroaching grass etc if they are to survive and prosper. Various methods can be used to release the trees and suppress competing grass growth, as will be shown.

Please bring: shoes or gumboots suitable for working in long grass; 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; optionally, a pair of sharp garden shears suitable for cutting grass.

As well as this date we are also returning to Weeding Wednesdays in February and March. Please contact Douglas Black on 022 104 8661 for more information or to find out where we are working on the night.