The weather was atrocious so we cancelled the evening. But…..what to do with all the foragables we had prepared? They didn’t go to waste! A wonderful wild salad made by Linda, dandelion coffee, nettle pesto made by Chris and Maggies pakora’s just had to be eaten!
Posted: 21 October 2015
Kiwi Conservation Club (KCC) focuses on Kereru at Otatara - 26th September 2015
KCC is a children’s conservation club and Bronwyn Graham has just joined John Carter from Te Anau in coordinating some exciting local activities.
We started our celebration of Kereru (and the great NZ Kereru Count) by visiting Bush Haven for morning feeding time. The Kereru that have been rehabilitated and released often sit for an hour on powerlines nearby waiting for the scrumptious mix of fruit, veges and seeds. It was wonderful to get so close to kereru – the children were captivated. Russell explained the main reason Kereru end up at Bush Haven is window strike, how they go about rehabilitating those birds they are able to save, and what we can do to help conserve Kereru. It was great to hear that because of pest busting efforts in Otatara there has been an increase in Kereru in the wild. Tui and bellbirds (in addition to the kereru) flitted around us feasting in this rural haven for birds. We then viewed numerous Australian and NZ native birds including kakariki, Antipodes parrots, three Kereru getting close to release, and kaka. So special to get up and close to these NZ birds. We were also privileged to see three three-day old kaka chicks, with one egg still to hatch. Russell and May do a fantastic job and we thank them for hosting us. Perhaps kakariki are next to be increasing in numbers in the wild?
The Southland Community Nursery then became our base as we created window protectors and adorned the education centre tree with Kereru (including origami versions). Testing the depth of water in Rance’s stream using a flax claddy, noticing newly planted natives and feeding the ducks at the wetland pond followed a walk through kahikatia swamp forest where we checked out a weta motel (there were three in residence), spotted pest trapping underway, and breathed in the forest. And we counted two kereru flying. Thanks to Chris and Brian Rance for the use of their wonderful venue and surrounds, sharing their knowledge and helping out. Thanks also to F&B member Edith supporting us on the day.
With a new coordinator based in Invercargill it is hoped that KCC will grow. With 5 families, and 10 children today it was a great start to building KCC numbers around Invercargill.
Already those that were here today were talking about wanting to go back and see the kaka as they grow, and suggested other KCC outings – so watch this space! To find out more about kcc or to join and receive the “Wild Things” magazines visit www.kcc.org.nz or phone Bronwyn.
Bronwyn Graham (2130017)
Posted: 11 October 2015
The Beaven family are off to Wellington. Kari and Iluka have been regular helpers at the Community Nursery this year and my heartfelt thanks go to Kari for all the help and inspiration she has given with school groups visiting the nursery and education centre. Kari and Iluka have become “regulars” on volunteer Fridays and at other events at the nursery and we will all miss them, but wish them well in their new adventures around the Wellington coast .We hope they keep in touch and we know their influence will spread across the North Island. Go well - from Chris and Linda and everyone at the Community Nursery.
Posted: 11 October 2015
After last season’s successful foraging workshops we are holding a spring foraging workshop with Maggie, Chris and Linda on Wednesday 21 October.
Springtime is one of the best times for foraging as all the new seedlings come up (to be identified), edibles are sweet and succulent and its surprising what you can find when you start looking.
Meet at the Community Nursery main carpark at 183 Grant Road at 6.30pm for a foraging walk. Bring gumboots and coats and a trowel and pots if you want to dig up some foragables along the way. No need to book but bring along your $5 note on the night.
There will also be some foraged delights to sample in the Education Centre once we have finished the walk.
Posted: 11 October 2015
Community Nursery Open after the winter break
The Community Nursery is open again, its spring and seedlings are coming up. The cuttings we took in June are starting to show signs of life.
It’s a great time to look forward to all the good things coming up in summer. It’s also time to look forward to planting your native trees and shrubs, establishing shelterbelts, maybe put in a pond? It’s a good time to get advice on the right plants for your own situation, so come along on a Friday morning.
In the nursery it’s time to spring-clean – weeding out old stock that hasn’t done well over winter and prepare areas for newly propagated plants. The pricking out seedlings, potting up and weeding, weeding and more weeding!
The Education Centre is also open for bookings – school visits, workshops etc, so get in touch if you want to hire the centre.
We also have a new volunteer! Chris’s Mum is over from the UK for a holiday and is the newest member of our workforce!
Posted: 24 September 2015