News

A free talk, entitiled Our land in a changing climate: impacts and implications, will be held on Wednesday 25 September at 5:30pm at Lincoln University. The speaker will be James Renwick, who is Professor of Physical Geography at Victoria University, specialising in large-scale climate variations. He was awarded the 2018 New Zealand Prime Minister’s Science Prize for Communication.

Land is at the heart of debates about climate change. How we use land affects our climate, but as the climate changes so too will the land and the biological and social systems it supports.

In a week of action on climate change, and following the release of the IPCC report on Climate and Land, NZ’s leading climate researchers explore the relationship between land and climate, and the challenges and potential it presents for our urgent need to respond to climate change.

Go here for (free) tickets

The Ministry for the Environment and Ministry for Primary Industries have released a consultation document on the future of freshwater management. It is called Action for healthy waterways – A discussion document on national direction for our essential freshwater (click on link to open it)

It proposes changes to the RMA as well as other policies.

Consultation is open until 17 October and feedback is invited in a variety of ways. Their preferred way, however, is via their online submission tool.

There are many references to coastal ecosystems, such as coastal wetlands, estuaries, mangroves etc., so we want to encourage coast care groups and people to have their say.

A few funding opportunities came our way in the last few weeks. They could be of interest to councils and coast care groups:

The New Zealand Motor Caravan Association has a Green Fund that supports conservation projects. It appears to be an ongoing fund that doesn’t have a particular deadline. Check this page for information and an application form.

WWF’s next funding round is open from 2 September - 11 October. Check for details and how to apply HERE.

Greater Wellington’s campaign with Frank the Crayfish: Ask yourself, do I really need to drive on the beach? Vehicles on beaches can have a big impact on our wildlife, dune defences, and sites of significance around the region. Let’s have a frank conversation about driving on beaches: www.gw.govt.nz/frank-beach-driving

Join the Hauraki Gulf Forum on Tuesday 27 August 2019 at Auckland’s War Memorial Museum / Tāmaki Paenga Hira to take forward the Hauraki Gulf Forum’s recently announced recommendations for the Marine Park:

● That at least 20% of the waters be protected; and
● That 1000sqkm of shellfish-beds and reefs be restored.

From late morning into the early evening, the Forum’s flagship public annual event will feature headline expert speakers, panel debates, facilitated breakout sessions, the annual Holdaway awards, and a genuine participatory process designed to bring forth the best ideas from all participants and ensure that all voices are heard. Download the programme.

Buy your tickets here:

https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/visit/whats-on/series/hauraki-gulf-marine-park-seminar-2019