Nature

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.

An Evening with Anthony Powell: Frozen South – Christchurch – 26 February 2019

What

Canterbury Astronomical Society and the University of Canterbury invite you to come and spend and evening with noted photographer Anthony Powell.

Anthony has just spent his tenth winter over in Antarctica. He worked for many years as a telecommunications engineer before becoming a full-time filmmaker and photographer.

He had to design and build a lot of his own camera equipment to withstand the harsh conditions of the deep Antarctic winters adn has made a number of highly acclaimed films of Antarctica.

He made the international award-winning film “Antarctica: A Year on Ice” and has contributed footage to numerous films, TV shows, and exhibitions. These include National Geographic, Discovery, US Natural History Museum, and the Emmy Award winning BBC series Frozen Planet.

http://frozensouth.weebly.com/

When and Where

Tuesday, 19 February 2019
8pm – 9:30pm

C2 Lecture Theatre
University of Canterbury
20 Kirkwood Avenue
Christchurch

How Much

Admission by ticket only – Tickets are free for this event.

Registration and Tickets via Eventbrite
Frozen South Website

The Great Kererū Count – Nationwide – 21-30 September 2018

What

The Great Kererū Count is NZ’s biggest citizen science project to help gather information on the abundance and distribution of the New Zealand pigeon — also known as kererū, kūkū or kūkupa.

Everyone in New Zealand can get involved with the Great Kererū Count, whether you see any kererū or not, sharing your observations with us will help build up a clearer picture of where the kererū live, how many there are and what they are feeding on.

The humble kererū is one of New Zealand’s most valuable assets when it comes to our native forests. Long before humans came to this country, kererū have been undertaking the largest plant restoration project the country has ever seen. Kererū are the only bird left in New Zealand that are able to swallow and disperse the seeds from our largest native trees such as tawa, taraire, pūriri and matai. Kererū can live for 21+ years and are essential for native bush regeneration. Their disappearance would be a disaster for our native forests.

This year we have 3 Options available with multiple ways to make your kererū observations – Computer, Laptops, Tablets and Smart Phones are all ways you can get your observations into us.

When and Where

21-30 September 2018

All over New Zealand

How Much

Free

The Great Kererū CountWebsite

New Zealand Bird Conference – Waitangi – 2-4 June 2018

What

The 2018 New Zealand Bird Conference and the 79th Annual General Meeting of Birds New Zealand will be held in Paihia Northland during 2-4th June 2018 (Queens Birthday Weekend). We look forward to welcoming you to the sunny Far North for what should be a fantastic weekend of birds and birding.

The conference will comprise two days of scientific papers and workshops,with field trips to local birding highlights on the third day. The AGM will be held on Saturday afternoon.

The conference again aims to continue the fine work of previous conferences in making this the premier New Zealand event for the communication of new research findings on New Zealand birds while providing opportunity for discussion, networking and workshops for bird researchers and birders in New Zealand.

The format of the conference will be similar to the most recent conferences, with the first two days largely being devoted to scientific presentations. A variety of workshops are planned for the Sunday morning.

As in previous years we look forward having a number of local speakers sharing some of the latest research knowledge with you. Alongside this we look forward to bringing together researchers and Society Members from across the country to share their knowledge and findings to make for a dynamic and informative event.

When and Where

Copthorne Hotel and Resort Bay of Islands
Tau Henare Drive
PO Box 150
PaihiaSaturday 1 June – All day Conference
Sunday 2 June – All day Conferce
Monday 3 June – Field trips

How Much

Member late registration      $ 165.00
Non-member registration       $ 195.00
Daily registration member     $ 90
Daily Registration non-member $ 140
Dinners                       $ ~50
Field trips                   $ ~50

More

Conference webpage