Family

Bioblitz – Wellington – 5-6 April 2019

What

Bioblitz – Uncover the secrets of the garden

We know a lot about the plants we grow but what’s hiding in between the roots and stems? Help us uncover the garden’s secrets.

This 24-hour Bioblitz offers the opportunity for children and families to look into the diversity of plants and animals that live at the Wellington Botanic Garden. Scientists from around the country, Friends of the Wellington Botanic Garden and individual volunteers will help analyse the secrets of the garden. The results of the Bioblitz will be made publicly available.

We’re in a race to snapshot as many different species in the Botanic Garden as we can within 24-hours. As a super science sleuth, you’ll use iNaturalist, the latest mobile phone technology so that you can make solo discoveries. If you prefer to work in a team, our field trips will give you the upper hand with an expert leading the pack.

Join our special 150th anniversary BioBlitz and help us discover what’s really living and growing in the garden in 2019.

Short video about Bioblitz.

When and Where

3pm, 5 April – 3pm, 6 April 2019

Wellington Botanic Garden

Bioblitz public programme

Friday 5 April 2019

2.25pm Opening Ceremony at Soundshell Lawn.
3pm – 7pm: Official start and public picnic at Soundshell Lawn.
3pm – 8pm: Bioblitz HQ is open at Treehouse Visitor Centre.
8.30pm: Bioblitz Guided Walk: Titiwai – New Zealand’s Glow Worm. (More about this walk at bottom of page)

Saturday 6 April 2019

8.30am – 3.15pm: Bioblitz HQ is open at Treehouse Visitor Centre.
11am-3pm: Video Booth at Treehouse Visitor Centre Carpark.
10am – 11am: Bioblitz Guided Walk: Tiny plants that are everywhere.
12.30pm – 1:45pm: Bioblitz Guided Walk: From ground level to tree tops.
1.45pm – 2:45pm : Bioblitz Guided Walk: The Wonderful World of Weeds.
3pm: Close of the Bioblitz

How Much

Free.
Bookings are required for free guided walks. Book your spot on a FREE tour by clicking on the guided walk links in the public programme above.
You may participate in the Bioblitz without joining the walks.

You need to have a smartphone with camera and ability to upload photos and information using the iNaturalist app.

Wellington Gardens event page.
Eventfinda event page.
iNaturalistNZ event page.

iNaturalistNZ website and twitter @inaturalistnz
Download and install the iNaturalist app on your smartphone

Bioblitz Guided Walk: Titiwai – New Zealand’s Glow Worm

This is the only walk sold out when this page was created. A guided walk called “Glow in the dark titiwai tours – New Zealand glow worms” is also by Wellington’s Botanic Gardens on other Fridays. $6 per person and Free for children under 12. Eventfinda event with dates and tickets.

Gardeners of the Galaxy – Auckland – 1 December 2018 to 10 March 2019

What

Your space rocket has crash landed on an alien planet – how will you survive? What will you eat and how will you breathe? Life on an alien planet is tenuous, and the answer to surviving in this harsh environment is plants.

Plants are life!

Join us for family fun at Gardeners of the galaxy this summer and find out how plants are essential for life in space. Take one small step into life as an astronaut as you discover the tools needed for survival on an alien planet.

? Start your space mission at our Visitor Centre – pick up a Mission Sheet for kids, visit our crash-landed rocket and take an astronaut selfie!

? Check out the experiments and live plants being grown in the Science Lab.

? Play fun games in our kids International Space Station and get creative with our Future Plants colouring wall.

? Head outside to try MOTAT rocket power activities and take our Solar System Walk.

? Join us for free special events and activities including star-gazing in the Gardens, solar-gazing and more! Keep an eye on our website or Facebook to find out what’s on (please note some events have limited spaces and will require advance booking).

? Get extra fun facts and videos on your space mission using the STQRY app on your phone – see below for links to download the STQRY app.

Brought to you by the Auckland Botanic Gardens and Auckland Council in association with Stardome Observatory & Planetarium, MOTAT, Hyalite and the Auckland Astronomical Society.

When and Where

1 December 2018 to 10 March 2019
Hours:
Gardens open 8am to 8pm every day.
Visitor centre is open daily from 8am – 4.30pm (closed Christmas Day).

Auckland Botanical Gardens
102 Hill Road, Manurewa, Auckland 2105.

How Much

Free.

Event information including links to apps on Auckland Botanic Gardens site and Facebook event.

Stargazing Lab – Auckland – 22 December 2018

What

JOIN US UNDER THE STARS FOR A NIGHT OF STARGAZING.

The first session starts before the sunset in order to explain very basic concepts about astronomy, telescopes, and photography. After that, you will have opportunities to observe the craters and mountains on the Moon, Jupiter’s Great Red Spot and the rings of Saturn.
You will also have a chance to observe deep sky objects like star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies.

The sessions will target different objects and topics every day. Since these events are weather dependent, on occasions we may need to postpone the event at short notice. If this happens, you will receive a txt message in your mobile, one hour prior to the event, and your booking will be transferred to the next available session.

Even though the sessions end late, these activities are family friendly and ideal for kids. You will have a nice opportunity to learn more about the solar system and the Universe, and also to motivate interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) in young minds. Some telescopes and additional resources will be available for use. Including telescopes that can be operated by kids.

We will help you to identify bright stars and major constellations. During each observing session, we will teach participants to find those elusive patterns in the sky with a simple monthly star map and a green laser pointer that projects a visible beam into the sky. Just like at a planetarium but under the real night sky!

Code of Conduct

In order to insure safety, protect equipment and to enhance everyone enjoyment, we ask that you follow the Code of Conduct:

Pets are not permitted nearby the telescopes.
Smoking and alcoholic beverages are never permitted within the area.
Minors under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.
Aerosol bug spray repellent may only be applied away from the telescopes. (Sprays produce a fine mist which can settle on optical surfaces and is very difficult to clean.)
Remove any trash and keep the premises clean.
Visitors should bring a flashlight with RED light to use for the walk from the parking lot to the observation area and for reading star maps.

When and Where

22 December 2018
9:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Maraetai Beach,
Maraetai Coast Rd, Maraetai, Auckland

Stargazing Labs are taking place from Maraetai Beach, Maraetai, at just 40 minutes from the Auckland CBD. This beautiful location offers stunning views of the night sky and low light pollution coming from the city. This is key to allow long-term expositions to capture amazing pictures of the deep sky objects like nebulae and galaxies.

There are four public parking (free) available (+40 cars capacity) and public toilets close to the observation area.

How Much

$0 – $16.09
Under 5 yrs: free
Child (5 – 15 yrs): $10+fees.
General Admission: $15 + fees.

Please book here.

Stargazing Lab, Eventbrite event and Facebook event.
Organised by Skylabs http://skylabs.co.nz/