SUNDAY 13 DECEMBER

A great day out at Bushy Point brought to you by the Otatara Landcare Group and Kiwi Conservation Club (junior Branch of Forest and Bird) - check in at the Southland Community Nursery in Grant Road (but please park at the car park at 183 Grant Road then follow the signs) any time between 1pm-3pm and grab your Starter Kit.  This will lead you through the forest, stopping at Stations along the way to check out the bugs; take a look at trees and plant one of your own (name it and visit it next year to see who has grown the most); build a boat from things found round and about; what critters can you find in the pond?; scavenger hunt; learn the difference between a stoat and a weasel.  When you’ve done all that, getting stamps and stickers as you go, wander back to the start and head for home with a native plant to grow in your own garden.  Any info needed?  Phone 2131403

The Great Kereru Count is on NOW!!! 

*The Great Kererū Count  is the largest national citizen science project to help gather information on the abundance and distribution of the New Zealand pigeon – also known as wood pigeon, kererū, Kūkū or kūkupa.  The Great Kererū Count  takes place 2015 from 19-27 September.  This year will be even easier to make your kererū count with the introduction of NatureWatch NZ.

Check out http://greatkererucount.nz and http://naturewatch.org.nz  and If you have an ipad or iphone, download the iNaturalist app ready for the count.

Join us to see, learn about and count Kererū

Saturday 26^th September 2015

• ·       9am Meet at Bush Haven, 49 Bryson Road Otatara.  Then…
• ·       10am-12noon Southland Community Nursery Education Centre, 185 Grant Road, Otatara, Invercargill

We invite you to this family event.  Get up close to Kereru at the Bush Haven Native Bird Rehabilitation Centre at feeding time.  Then we will head 2 minutes down the road to the Education Centre to learn about this special bird of our forest, take part in the Great New Zealand Kererū Count*, and have some outdoor fun in nature.  Contact for this event: Bronwyn on email: Enable JavaScript to view protected content..

It’s Keep NZ Beautiful Week 14-21 September 2015

If you’d like to help spruce up Otatara roadsides and reserves, any time this month, grab a bag from 24 Rata Road and go for it!  They are under the car port, if there’s no one at home.  Rubbish can be returned there too (no car bodies or fridges please!)

The site is prepared.  We just need YOU!

Join us and our own Living Legend, Kevin Laidlaw, for this year’s Living Legends’ native tree plantings at Bushy Point

Saturday 12 September 2015 - starting at 10am

Use Bryson Road entrance - parking off road

Look for the flag which directs you to the area, the other side of the lookout seat (allow 10 mins walk)

Bring old clothes and gloves - please leave your spades at home.  Everyone welcome.

More info from Barry 2131500

Thursday  30th July 2015 – 6pm “Otatara History and Memories evening (PDF, 858.36 kB)” – Otatara Community Hall, Dunns Road (ph Cathy McFie 2131267) share your memories and enjoy school students presentations, photographs and maps and stories.