On April 9, Te Papa Tongarewa, the Museum of NZ will host the country’s first symposium dedicated fully to investigating citizen science. A series of hands-on ecological monitoring workshops will take place the weekend prior (April 7-8).

The Symposium vision

A dynamic event for current and potential citizen science key players to create an in-depth and shared understanding of citizen science activities and potential as well as to shape future directions for citizen science in NZ.

The build-up…

The symposium and associated workshops wrap up the Ministry for the Environment funded project: Citizen Science meets Environmental Restoration. Over the last 3 years, the NZ Landcare Trust hosted 12 workshops in the North and South Islands to build a community of interest and discuss barriers and opportunities for progressing citizen science in NZ. An inventory of citizen science projects, programmes, resources and learning opportunities was produced in 2016, along with a series of case studies in 2017.

Who will attend?

Community volunteers, decision and policy-makers, educators, project coordinators, data wranglers, researchers, environmental managers… 

The symposium will be aimed at those wanting to further their knowledge of what citizen science is, what is underway and its potential e.g., for establishing programmes that address particular research questions. Others will be actively involved in developing, coordinating or researching programmes that feature environmental monitoring or data collection largely by volunteers. 

Symposium programme (April 9)

The programme is currently being developed. Presentations will showcase a range of New Zealand-based biodiversity, biosecurity and education focussed citizen science projects. Panel and interactive sessions will encourage debate and discussion, with international participants adding their perspectives: What scope is there for citizen science programmes to collect long-term environmental data…? How can existing citizen generated data be more effectively used…? Who will design and implement citizen science projects/programmes to support the strategic programmes for biosecurity, conservation and environment science…? How will these projects be supported into the future…? How can we build a ‘community of practice’ between government agencies to progress citizen science…?

The Waikato Ballance Farm Environment Awards committee invites people to a seminar on September 6, 2018.

Come along and listen to a selection of great speakers, including past winners of the awards to find out why its so worth entering these awards.

Held at the Sir Don Rowlands Centre at 601 Maungatautari Road, Karapiro. RSVP by September 3.

For more information contact waikato@bfea.org.nz 

International Riversymposium 14-18 October, Darling Harbour – Sydney

Program is now live!

This year, the theme of Embracing Innovation cuts across many of the conference sessions—from Engagement, Inclusiveness and Ethics to Communicating Science and Environmental and Cultural Flows. This theme recognises the role and need for innovation in addressing the challenges of changing climate, population growth and other pressures on our rivers and communities; through technology, capacity building, community engagement, cost effective monitoring and innovative partnerships and finance mechanisms.

Riversymposium’s program includes internationally recognised keynote speakers, engaging presentations and diverse Learn-Inspire-Transform workshops—interactive sessions designed to arm delegates with new knowledge and ideas to invest into their own work.

Riversymposium is renowned for bringing together a varied audience of industry, academia, government, NGOs and community groups, and offers unrivalled opportunities to build relationships, share knowledge, collaborate and obtain leads for future partnerships. Riverexpo also provides the opportunity to speak one-on-one with a range of organisations about products, services and programs they are currently involved with.

This year, full registration ($AUD 1,295) also includes a ticket to the prestigious Riverprize gala dinner where the Australasian and Asian Riverprize winners, the 2018 Emerging River Professional Award winner and the Vera Thiess Fellowship for Women are all announced. In addition to the main conference, you are encouraged to take part in our networking functions including Welcome function cruise ($AUD 100), Diversity in Water networking function ($AUD 80), Emerging Water Professionals Program ($AUD 100) and choose from three study tours for hands on learning - Tomago Wetland, Parramatta River and Annandale (various prices).

Special Offer - Register 10 or more delegates and receive the early bird discount rate of AUD $995, a saving of AUD $2,950!

For more information, check out http://riversymposium.com/register/

The management of weeds and pests is critical to ensure the sustainability of the Hakataramea Valley.

One of the country’s biggest and most passionate campaigners for the health of the nation’s rivers will be greatly missed by all. NIWA Chief Scientist for Freshwater and Estuaries Dr John Quinn passed away last week after a battle with leukaemia, aged 61.

The NZ Landcare Trust has a long history with John and his dedication to cleaning up the rivers and waterways of our nation – his life’s work is a legacy for those he leaves behind to continue.

“We have worked with John since the early days of the NZ Landcare Trust – in both the Bay of Plenty and throughout the wider Waikato region. His work and his passion was insightful, pioneering at times and very collaborative, finding great approaches to working together to get the job done. His work with NIWA was legendary and no doubt that work will be remembered and utilised for many decades to come,” Dr Nick Edgar, NZ Landcare Trust CEO says.

“We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, and we promise to continue the work of this great man. Such a lovely guy.  Rest in peace Dr John Quinn.”

Rural Women New Zealand National President Fiona Gower has been elected as the first woman chair of the NZ Landcare Trust, following the retirement of long time chair Richard Thompson.

Richard retired from his role after being with the Trust since its inception in 1996. Fiona was elected unanimously – and NZ Landcare Trust CEO Dr Nick Edgar says the move was a positive one.

“Richard has done so much for us in the past 22 years and has been extremely proactive in his role as chair and now we are all excited and happy to have the baton passed to Fiona, who has been on the board since 2016 and is very passionate about sustainable land and water quality,” he says.

“George Matthews from the Federation of Maori Authorities was elected as deputy chair of the Trust. Fiona and George will be a great team!”

Fiona says she is looking forward to the challenge of stepping up from a trustee to the extra responsibility that comes with being Chair of the board.

“It is a real privilege to be appointed as the Chair for NZ Landcare Trust. The Trust has an ever-increasing role in supporting sustainable land management throughout New Zealand, and I look forward to working with the staff and trustees to achieve this. I take this opportunity to thank retiring Chair, Richard Thompson, for his years of hard work, and look forward to carrying this on,” she says.

“For me now, it is getting into it at an even deeper level and seeing where I can help to make the biggest impact in my new role.”

As a passionate member of Rural Women New Zealand for 13 years, Fiona has been on the National Council (now known as the Board) since 2013, and was elected National President in 2016.

Outside of her work with NZLT and RWNZ, Fiona is on the Waikato Conservation Board and is a member of the Port Waikato BeachCare group.

 And in her limited spare time, it is all about family for Fiona. 

“Quality family time is a priority for me, especially as I am away a lot, so doing things like fishing or white-baiting. We love being out on the water and having fun on the land. That is why the work that the NZ Landcare Trust does is so important to me as both a representative of Rural Women New Zealand and for me personally as a mum. It has to be about our future generations being able to enjoy what we have here in New Zealand.”