Bug Jigsaws – some new floor jigsaws have been created by Janet Hodgetts. A giant spider, butterfly and weta have been skilfully cut up into jigsaw pieces by Derek Parkes and will be available for schools and visitors to use soon. The jigsaws were paid for by Southland Branch of Forest and Bird.
The Jo Ogier Art Workshops in February are now fully subscribed, but we do have a “reserves” list in case anyone drops out – so if you would like to be added to the list, email Chris.
Coming up in 2015 are more workshops – “know your native plants”, “foraging” and “beginners nature photography” are some in the pipeline – we do not have dates set yet but if you are interested in any of those workshop ideas email Chris and she will let you know the dates once arranged.
The Nature Centre building is available for hire to hold your own workshops – art, music, health related - look at the following link for more details http://www.southlandcommunitynursery.org.nz/education-centre/
And, of course, we welcome more volunteers on Fridays (free plants for help in the nursery), and we have native plants for sale at $5 each (proceeds to the Education Centre) – so come along and join us!
Posted: 14 January 2015
On 19th December 2014, we held our Christmas Break-up at the nursery. A time to look back over the year, thank our volunteers, celebrate and have some fun! The new koru maze was in action again with bubbles and kite flying. Bronwyn lead decoration making, some good food was enjoyed and a little bit of nursery work was also done!
Posted: 14 January 2015
To rival our patron Ruud Kleinpaste – the Bugman, New Zealand’s Mothman Brian Patrick visited in December. He had come to do some surveys for DoC at Awarua but came and stayed with us for a few days with his family. He was impressed with the new giant bug jigsaws that Janet Hodgetts had just finished for the Education Centre. A moth survey undertaken at our place a few years ago (light trapping at night) had collected over 60 different moth species.
Posted: 14 January 2015
Fourty Waverley Kindy kids, teachers Sherie and Mel and parent supporters visited the Nursery and Education Centre on 11 December 2014. They brought back some kohuhu that they had grown and looked after since their last visit a couple of years ago – ready for planting out. The weather was kind and the children did a bush walk treasure hunt with Chris and Gretchen and potted up kohuhu and manuka seedlings with Bronwyn and Janet. After those serious activities the children tested out the new koru/maze run-around area to great effect.
Posted: 13 December 2014
A visit from 35 members of the Multicultural Society took place in glorious sunshine on 13 December 2014. The Education Centre had been booked this year following a cancellation of last year’s event at Anderson Park because of bad weather. It was a joyous occasion where members shared great food and chat as well as sharing bubbles with Alan Admore, a bush walk with Chris and lots of racing around the new maze/koru in the paddock. Santa even made an appearance! The Community Nursery has supported the Multicultural Council for many years gifting native plants to all new NZ Citizens in Southland, and it was great to be able to share this festive occasion. Thanks to Angela and her team for organising a great event.
Posted: 13 December 2014
