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Hello Julie
Right now we are busy putting together Ecofest Kaipatiki, a 10-day festival of eco-events involving community organisations and restoration groups around Kaipatiki - this festival is supported by Kaipatiki Local Board. Our next newsletter will have all the details - meantime check the website, we will be adding to the events calendar in the coming weeks.
Kaipatiki Project is organising some exciting events for families on both festival weekends, and we would love some extra hands to help them go smoothly - if you feel you could volunteer for a few hours please fill in this super-quick form to register your interest.
The two events we need the most help to run are:
Sat 29 October, 9am-12pm
Discovery Day in Eskdale Reserve
Chaperone small groups through the bush behind Kaipatiki Project Centre as they meet native fauna and flora experts, followed by a BBQ lunch.
Sun 6 November, 1-4pm
Little Shoal Bay Beach Clean Up
Help us set up and pack down gazebos near the Sea Scout Den and assist the Clean Up co-ordinator as volunteers remove rubbish from the beach and reserve. |
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Pic: Members of the Chinese Conservation Education Trust planted 780 trees in two hours.
One of the main aims of our restoration activities at Hobsonville Point is to replace the roar of vintage aeroplane engines with the beating of feathered wings and the calls of native birds.
This winter our volunteer team at the Engine Bay nursery have joined forces with local families, new residents, community and corporate groups to plant a massive 4,000 new native plants along the coastal walkway between the nursery and the landing.
Our restoration manager Derek Craig explains "This area is one of the most important native forest remnants in Auckland. The Hobsonville Point coastal forest is the central stepping stone of native bush blocks that link Tiritiri Matangi in the north to Ark in the Park in the west".
Derek's story continues... |
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Every Thursday (1-3pm) we lead weekly bush rescue operations with volunteers - AKA the Ginger Ninjas team.
This is physical, satisfying work for anyone wanting to deal to weeds and rid Eskdale Reserve of invasive plant pests like wild/Kahili ginger. We aim to do this work as sustainably as we can, by chopping up the ginger rhizomes and rotting them down in barrels on site.
The team goes out every week and we would love its numbers to grow - to join the team email list please email Derek our Restoration Manager with your name and contact details. If you are a returning Ginger Ninja, awesome! please let Derek know you would like to be back in action.
Meet at Kaipatiki Project, 17 Lauderdale Road, Birkdale unless otherwise notified. |
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Natural Gem of the Month: An Orchard in a Bucket
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Thanks to the Auckland Branch of the NZ Tree Crops Association who presented our teaching gardens with an orchard in a bucket - saplings of fig, kiwifruit and various plum varieties. All potted up and waiting for next winter.
GOT A SMALL GLASS-HOUSE?
If you have a small glass-house you no longer need we would love to have it to protect our young plants - get in touch with Derek on 482 1172.
FREE POTS
We have stacks of useable second-hand plant pots of various sizes free to a good garden - collect from the courtyard at the centre anytime. |
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Citizen Science in Eskdale Reserve Network
Bird and wildlife observations can tell ecologists a lot about the health of our natural environments. Making those observations is easier than ever thanks to websites like NatureWatch NZ.
Groups like Kaipatiki Project rely on people living, working and visiting the North Shore to not just have an eye on nature but to record what they are seeing - citizen science.
We can use this data to gain snapshots over time of bird, insect and other wildlife populations as well as form a picture of what species of plants (friends and foes) are growing where. These insights will help us to plan our restoration work and monitor their impacts.
There's no time like the present, so get the NatureWatch iNaturalist App or go to the website, create your account, search for Kaipatiki Project (if your observation is in the Eskdale/Witheford catchment) and start adding your observations.
Start your citizen science journey off with The Great Kiwi Bee Count (all September) or The Great Kererū Count (16-25 September).
Community Planting, Glenfield - 13 August
There was an amazing turnout from the community for our final community planting day of the winter - over 130 people got involved including University of Auckland students, Alpha Phi Omega (Philipines alumni organisation), Harcourts Cooper & Co plus several scout and guide troops. Thanks to everyone.
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Our nursery and garden guru Judy Keats is also a Compost Collective facilitator. Compost Collective replaced Create Your Own Eden about 18 months ago, and is the Auckland-Council supported hub dedicated to getting all Aucklanders composting.
Judy gives free composting workshops around the west, and also teaches the hot composting method here at our teaching gardens.
Free hot composting workshop Sat 1 October (10am-1pm)
Judy's workshop is highly practical and shows how to make a hot-compost heap that produces nutrient-rich, weed-free compost that is begging to be planted in! All participants get a $40 discount voucher to use when buying a compost system from Compost Collective. |
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All courses take place at Kaipatiki Project Environment Centre (17 Lauderdale Road, Birkdale) unless otherwise stated. For course queries email admin@kaipatiki.org.nz or phone 482 1172. |
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This one day class will show participants how to make the most of their smart phone cameras and take stunning nature shots in the bush around the Kaipatiki Project centre in Birkdale.
Taught by nature photographer and blogger Edin Whitehead, the class is suitable for young people (and upwards!) and covers composing a photo, using natural light and mastering the settings on your phone to best effect. |
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This weekend course is designed as a taster and an overview of what permaculture is all about. It aims to inspire and empower you to use permaculture design in your everyday life; drawing not only from our tutor’s vast experience, but also through meeting other people using this design for living every day.
The course will cover:
▪ Permaculture ethics and principles
▪ The design process, sectors & zones
▪ Examples of permaculture
▪ Practical exercises
▪ Field trips to several permaculture properties in the Matakana area |
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Zero-waste ambassador Waveney Warth and her partner organise their lifestyle, pets and home so that virtually no rubbish is created - she shares the secrets in this very popular class. |
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One Man, One Cow, One Planet Film Screening, 11 Sept
Birkenhead Library 6.30pm MORE INFO
A NZ-made film about the farming revolution in India, and one man, out to save the world.
"It's so easy. Come on people, wake up." Peter Proctor, NZ's 'father of bio-dynamics'.
Followed by a discussion led by organic gardener Dee Pigneguy.
Conservation Week 10-18 Sept
See what Kaipatiki Project and other conservation groups are up to and Join The Team!
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