Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Upcoming Events
Friday 22 June
We’re Invited to catch the Kimbolton School’s inspiration @ Kimbolton Bush Reserve
11.00am Green Team Tour
1.00pm Replanting
5.45pm Potluck Dinner and DVD
RSVP – 06 328 5880
Tuesday 10 July
Branch Night – "New Directions for DoC, Wanganui Conservancy"
Speaker: Damian Coutts, Conservator – Wanganui Conservancy
Held at Te Manawa, Palmerston North
Saturday 14 July
Workparty – Rata Planting in the Gorge
Leader: Chris Thomasen – 06 323 6876
Tuesday 14 August
Branch night – “Avian Malaria in Native Birds”
Speaker: Isabel Castro, Ecologist – Massey University
Held at Te Manawa, Palmerston North
Saturday 18 August
Work party at Sixtus Lodge, Apiti
Leader: Midge Jansenn - 06 357 4877
November this year marks the half century for Forest & Bird Manawatu Branch.
Celebration planning is underway now.
If you’d like to offer ideas or help plan the party ~ give Brent a ring on 06 357 6962.
Manawatu Branch Newsletter
If you would like to have the Forest and Bird e-zine sent quarterly to your PC, please send a request to
office@forestandbird.org.nz identifying yourself as a Society member and requesting that your email
address be added to the list.
7.30 pm, Tuesday 19 June, Education wing, Te Manawa, 326 Main Street, Palmerston North
Birds in paradise:
The role of birds in shaping New Zealand’s terrestrial biodiversity
-Dr Bill Lee of Landcare Research, Dunedin
The native birds of New Zealand are highly unusual in several respects. They have dominated terrestrial
ecosystems for millions of years in the near absence of mammals, and have evolved some extraordinary
life-history features. Furthermore, the magnitude of post-settlement extinctions amongst native birds (about
half of all terrestrial bird species) has drastically changed the character of the entire New Zealand biota. We
now have a reasonable understanding of the range of species and life-history traits of indigenous birds,
along with the factors that caused their extinction or decline. The reasons for the success of a subset of
introduced bird species are also becoming clear. The lecture will examine the interaction between birds and
the environment during the history of New Zealand, and discuss the role of birds in ecosystem processes,
their effect on plant and vegetation development, and on other animals. It will also look at the magnitude of
the ecological functions undertaken by birds, and the extent to which introduced species can ecologically
compensate for those that have recently become extinct. Finally, it will be argued that birds have a special
role to play in ensuring the functioning of New Zealand ecosystems, and that all species should be
welcomed.
The Cockayne Memorial Fund was established by public subscription to commemorate the life and work of
Leonard Cockayne (1855 –1934) by the encouragement of botanical research in New Zealand. In his latter
years he founded the unique Otari Open-air Native Plant Museum in Wellington. Each three years an award
is made to permit a national speaking tour by a distinguished botanist.
Bioblitz
by Viv McGlynn, Trip Leader
W K G K N Z V E A X U G T W D
O A A L N I T B U E R P I H R
K K S K I E B R V E K I T I I
A A U I M A R O Y F C P M T B
B R K S L S T W R O H I O E N
D I J A W V A N K K P T T H R
R K T Q P R E C A C C G H E E
I I H C B O R R R F O A J A F
B O S L R J S E E B S R L D L
H F E J H H F E I Y C F P B T
C R C R E H Y P W M E B X O F
T S M H W D A E H W O L L E Y
I B E L L B I R D S Y S K V O
T S A D D L E B A C K H I U T
S N A M E L F I R K O K A K O
Recommended Website
http://www.werc.usgs.gov/sattrack/shorebirds/overall.html
Beginning my second year chairing a Forest great committee all keen to advance
& Bird Branch in New Zealand comes as a nature conservation in the Manawatu and
surprise. Arriving from Washington State in beyond, a real pleasure to work with.”
2000 (4 days before GW Bush was Asked what is favourite conservation
elected!), Brent says he “wouldn’t have moment is, Brent says it was seeing the
thought he’d be in the country more than 2 Manawatu Estuary declared a Wetland of
years, and I certainly had no plans to get International Significance, and realizing
into conservation society work.” But a all the incredible hard work that went into
childhood of fun in the great outdoors and a getting that recognition for it. That, he
school programme strong in field biology soon says, is “truly inspiring”.
caught up with him, and saw him join the
committee as Secretary in 2003. “Since first During the days, Brent works at AgResearch as a
arriving in NZ I’ve been fascinated by the plant breeder; and in spare time enjoys sharing
biodiversity, and cringe as I see it taken for hobbies with his wife Julie in their home. In 2004,
granted and often shoved aside or ignored for a Brent co-founded the Aotearoa Environmental
short term financial gain” he says. “I suppose the Film Festival, now in its third consecutive season.
real reason I joined the committee was that I felt it
was a meaningful way I could contribute to
society, and I’m loving it!” says Brent. “I’ve got a
Chair’s Spot
2007. First newsletter to press. You Going on 50! We set sail with much to
again have the excellent good fortune celebrate. Forest & Bird Manawatu
of knowing your local Forest & Bird Branch was founded in 1957. So today,
Branch sets sail with an excellent there are nearly 50 growth rings on this
committee – dedicated to nature Branch of the Society. This November
conservation in the Manawatu. Rather our Branch marks 50 years in nature
like a fine racing yacht tuned for an conservation and education in the
America’s Cup challenge. Manawatu. What an achievement by
Victoria has stepped up and taken on dedicated Society members.
the big but rewarding challenge of editing We also face challenges. Climate change
our branch newsletter, and is already impacts on biodiversity, industrial-scale
exploring online options for better energy farms in nature reserves, hill
communication within the local branch. country slips and a polluted river system.
Jennifer is new to the team as well, We are interested in your ideas and
helping with getting the word out to opinions. This newsletter we start a
tertiary students with a passion for the letters column, with a reprint of one of
natural environment. Those students are Donald’s excellent letters to the local
our future leaders both within the Society media. We invite you to follow this lead
and within society in general. We do well and send us letters on matters you
to foster their interest in nature. feel are important to nature
Anthea has stepped capably into the conservation and the Society.
Secretary’s role – and has already done Finally, a warm invitation to enjoy this
much to streamline our internal year’s Aotearoa Environmental Film
communications and see us though to a Festival, opening Thursday 26 July in the
more efficient stance. Globe Theatre, Palmerston North. Many
The new recruits are well balanced with of the 2007 Festival entries are excellent
the seasoned crew of two past chairs ~ covering the range of topics from
(Donald and Viv) and one past nuclear energy to seabird conservation in
Secretary (Jo), our returning treasurer a changing climate. The Festival is online
(Leonora); plus Caroline, our Kiwi at www.aeff.org.nz
Conservation Club leader; and Alan, our Go well in the month ahead, and plan to
longstanding Fielding representative. again hear from your local Branch on a
regular basis.
Brent Barrett, Chair
Forest & Bird Manawatu Branch