Forest & Bird

NB Talk postponed from August to 17 September, due to illness. Phil Bradfield - Lagoon Grovetown trustee Talk title: Grovetown Lagoon-A special place This presentation will cover the incredible community effort that has transformed a once degraded and forgotten backwater into a much loved and flourishing wetland. This transformation has taken 25 years and is now a shining example of the restorative power of sustained weed control, native plantings and introduced predator control.

Moth Monitoring at Matuku Link - a double take! Josh Campbell and Dan Borja are both master's students in Biological Science at the University of Auckland, working on moth research at Matuku Link. Josh Campbell's research focuses on lepidoptera (the moths and butterflies) and the behaviour associated with their camouflage. As part of his research, Josh has been undertaking moth monitoring using light traps at Matuku Link Reserve, recording their diversity and phenology.

Geoff Keey, in his career, ecologist and strategist for some key NGOs, currently chairing the New Zealand Committee of IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) will give overview and analysis of the cosmic shift in protecting our biodiversity with the proposed changes to environmental and conservation laws and frameworks in New Zealand and, who is doing what and promising what in this election year. Supper and a chat after.

Fast-track applications shouldn’t commit New Zealand to decades of environmental degradation on unique conservation land, says Forest & Bird. Bathurst Resources has lodged its application to dig up 20 million tonnes of coal from the Denniston Plateau. Scott Burnett, Forest & Bird's Denniston campaign lead, says the application marks a critical moment for New Zealand. “The Denniston Plateau is a national treasure, with extraordinary geology, unique ecosystems, and rare species.

Forest & Bird says the Government's plan to override critical components of Plan Change 1 (PC1) in the Waikato Regional Plan, and Plan Change 2 (PC2) in the Horizons Regional Plan, weakens the rules that hold polluters to account. Excessive nitrate pollution in rivers is harmful to people and wildlife.

Forest and Bird Talk by Alison Ballance: "The biggest kākāpō breeding season on record". Wednesday 9th September, 7.30pm, Tāhunanui School Hall, 69 Muritai St, Nelson. 2026 is a year for the kākāpō record books. Host of RNZ’s Kākāpō Files podcast, Alison Ballance, shares the story of the bumper breeding season, from the first male booming to the last chick reaching independence. All are welcome to join us. Tea and coffee will be available before the meeting, from 7.15pm.

New Zealand’s largest environment NGOs have called for the Government’s replacements for the Resource Management Act - the Natural Environment Bill and the Planning Bill - to be thrown out as they are fundamentally flawed. Forest & Bird, the Environmental Defence Society and Greenpeace Aotearoa say it is time to admit that these bills are an unabashed attack on nature, that they are designed to undermine environmental protection in our country, and they should be rejected.

We meet at 9am on the corner of Wakefield Avenue and Colenso St (Sumner) to register and carpool up to the site, beside Evans Pass Rd, to meet the ranger at 9.15 am. Our lovely Port Hills rangers supply us with hedge clippers. Cuppa and baking afterward back at Colenso St. Children welcome if accompanied by an adult. If unwell please stay at home. The site is steep so good footwear required, sunhat and warm clothing as appropriate. Postponement day 19th September

The Future of Conservation Hui Nature Can't Vote, But You Can Ōtautahi Christchurch Who is giving nature a voice this election? Aotearoa New Zealand's protected conservation land is under threat. Forest & Bird's maps of at-risk land have sparked a national conversation - and this election we have an opportunity to show politicians how many of us value nature.

Conservation area: Forest & Bird will present to Parliament's Environment Committee on Thursday, saying that the Government needs to change both Conservation Amendment Bill and the Fast-track Approvals Act. The Government has said it listened to New Zealanders who called for conservation land to be protected. It has stated it intends to remove controversial provisions from the Conservation Amendment Bill that would have made it easier to exchange or dispose of public conservation land.