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Curious about keas?

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Photo Credit: Kea Conservation Society

The Kea Conservation Society is giving a free talk in Wanaka

Thursday 9th July

7pm in the Faulks Room @ Lake Wanaka Centre

Have you always wanted to know more about kea and the issues impacting on them?  Do you want to hear about kea research and what community projects you can get involved with?

Do you have any conflict issues you want help in resolving?  Would you like to find out how to help kea in your area?

Or would you simply like to come along watch some fascinating video and photo footage of one of our most unique and interactive bird species and join in on some great discussions?

ALL WELCOME!!

Download poster

Sustainable Wanaka Annual Report and Financials

The Sustainable Wanaka Annual Report and end of year financials are now available here.  Click on the links below to download:

Choices Website Launched

A ‘one stop’ website to make all the ‘right choices’ around sustainability in the Queenstown Lakes District has been launched this week by the Queenstown Lakes District Council, QLDC transport manager Denis Mander said.

“It’s about making the right choice in how we travel, how we manage waste and how we use water in our communities,” Mr Mander said.

The site http://choice.qldc.govt.nz could help to start car pooling, do more recycling, make homes chemical free, get started as a worm farmer and much more.

“It also features an ‘interactive’ map for Queenstown, and Wanaka including bike parks, bus stops, mobility access and bus timetables,” Mr Mander said.

Green Drinks Thursday 9th December..community orchard continued

Last month we had a great discussion about a community orchard for Wanaka.

This week we hope to visit a few potential sites and look at what kind of orchard is possible.

A community orchard could provide local food, biodiversity, a demonstration site for dry-climate sustainable food production, and could be a ‘bank’ for local heirloom fruit and nut varieties.

All welcome, meet upstairs at Kai Whaka Pai (corner of Ardmore and Helwick St) at the later time of 6.30pm, Thurs 9th.

Sustainable Wanaka AGM, Monday 13th December

The Annual General Meeting of Sustainable Wanaka will be held on Monday 13th December at the Lake Wanaka Centre.

12:30pm Faulks Room

All welcome to attend

Wanaka Wastebusters 10 year birthday gala day and party

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Woop Woop!

FREE Give Away – 15watt down lights

downlight_white_niceSustainable Wanaka has quite a few boxes of 15watt down lights to give away…they need a sparky to fit them. There are 24 to a box and we’d prefer to give away a whole box at a time.

The lights were given to us as part of Earth Hour celebrations so there is no catch to the give away but you cannot sell them on, they are for giving away only.

Check out the lights here….

You need to come and pick them up – email sophie@sustainablewanaka.co.nz to arrange pick up.

Please spread the word to builder/electrician friends

Dr Compost Helpline

dr compost money photoSmelly slimy compost?  Bokashi smells a little funky and you’re not sure why?  Worms escaping or dying?

Dr Compost can help…

Just fire the ‘Dr’ an email drcompost@wanakawastebusters.co.nz and he can answer your questions.

Alternatively you can could ring the Council with your questions and you’ll get a response from Dr Compost.

Too Much Packaging? “Absolutely” Say Consumers

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Angus Ho with his planet of packaging at Te Papa

A large majority (86%) of New Zealanders are concerned by the amount of packaging waste they have to deal with, according to a new poll* “Packaging Waste in NZ” released today.

Wanaka Wastebusters Campaigner Angus Ho said the results clearly show that people are sick of over-packaging and want minimal packaging that they can reuse and recycle.

Nearly all the people surveyed (94%) said they want to choose packaging they can reuse or recycle.

“This poll shows New Zealanders really care about the impact that packaging waste has on the environment. The vast majority (81%) always make the effort to recycle packaging when they get home.

Mr Ho said unfortunately a lot of packaging waste can’t be reused or recycled, so there is no alternative but to send it to the dump. He said that, as the Government is not implementing mandatory product stewardship schemes, the burden of packaging waste is left with the end consumer.

Read the full release and report:


MAD4CO in association with Alexandra Thyme Festival present:

Biodiversity Forum, Tuesday 16 November, 7.00 pm, $5

Speakers:

  • Geoff Rogers Whence Central’s relict biodiversity – misty notions of 700-years of landscape change
  • John Barkla Down but not out – finding and repairing Central’s biodiversity fabric
  • Grant Norbury The future of Central’s biodiversity in a landscape of pests
  • Russell Hamilton Biodiversity enhancement: high-country farming for the future
  • David Parker Utilising the levers of government – action not talk

For more information or to register contact Central Otago REAP, 0800 267-327, (03)448-6115, admin@coreap.org.nz

Field Trips

Saturday 13 November, 10.00am – 3.00pm

  • Aldinga Conservation Area – View the Mokomoko Dryland Sanctuary (a project to reinstate original species such as the rare Otago Skink) and help with new plantings and weed eradication.
  • Tutor: Grant Norbury Cost: $5
  • Where to Meet: Meet at 9.30am at Central Stories or 10am at the entrance to Aldinga
  • Wear good sturdy walking shoes, bring water and your lunch, gardening gloves & strong loppers if you have them

Saturday 20 November, 10.00am – 2.30pm

  • Walk in the past and view examples of Central Otago original species.
  • Mahaka Katia Scientific Reserve – view and discuss unique cryptic species.
  • Locharburn Scientific Reserve – view and discuss original totara forest and remnants of original Central Otago forest vegetation.
  • Tutor: John Barkla & Amanda Ware from DOC Cost: $5
  • Where to Meet: Meet at Central Stories, Alexandra at 9.30am or at the Big Fruit Cromwell at 10am. Part of the way is 4WD only. If you are happy to bring and drive your 4WD vehicle do let us know when you book.
  • Wear good sturdy walking shoes, bring water and your lunch

Thyme Festival Programme