Newsletter #3
Hello everyone,
In the most recent newsletter, I mentioned the Pegasus Bay bylaw meeting between the hearing panel, kite surfing representatives and bird specialists. Nick Allen gave a well-researched presentation on the impacts of kite boarding on birds, and Steve Attwood talked about his observations of the behaviour of birds in the Ashley River estuary. The handful of local kite-boarders presented their case to use a small area inside the southern spit, and they were keen to learn about the birds and how they could help inform itinerant kite boarders of areas to avoid. The result? An agreement is being worked out (we volunteered Steve Attwood to be the liaison) that may achieve that most elusive of creatures: the right balance between protection and public access.
– Sonny Whitelaw, BRaid Manager (manager@braid.org.nz)
BRaid’s next meeting: 1.00pm Monday 22 June at 31 Ngai Mahi Road, Sockburn. Everyone is welcome to attend, although the agenda will be emailed (later this week) only to members. Please print a your copy if you are coming, so we can avoid printing unwanted copies, and have a quick look through the website as it will be on the agenda for comments.
Geen ribbon
Congratulations to Ashley Rakahuri Rivercare Group
for being one of the finalists in the 2015 Green Ribbon Awards (picture here). Just being amongst the finalists is enormous recognition for all they have achieved in community-led conservation. Well done, ARRG!
NatureWatchNZ:
is running a FREE workshop 4-5 July at Travis Wetlands to help community groups learn how to monitor restoration projects. Monitoring trapping is a hugely important but often overlooked component of successful community conservation (and when applying for funding!), so I urge you to register and come along if you have the time.
WANTED irrigators to help NIWA test IrriMet:
Healthy water is the lifeblood of braided rivers. Nutrient runoff from irrigated farms is a major factor in their declining health. NIWA’s IrriMet aims to reduce nutrient losses, which should help improve water quality and habitats. NIWA is now looking for help to test it… read more
WANTED camera – photos instead of the Google Earth screengrabs I’ve used for the website. Gain nothing but credit and kudos! Thanks Nick Allen for the Russell lupin photo, and Steve Attwood and Ann-Kathrin Schlesselmann for heaps of bird photos. Email manager@braid.org.nz.
WANTED – ditto; videos of rats, stoats, possums, cats, conservation projects etc, preferably already on YouTube or Vimeo that will allow me to embed a link from within pages. Email manager@braid.org.nz.
