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IN THIS ISSUE : FACING OUR FUTURE
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING
YOUTH ENVIRONMENT COUNCIL
ENVIROSCHOOLS
WHO WE LIKE | WHERE WE LIKE
WHAT WE LIKE | LOOKING AHEAD
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During April HBRC held seven Long Term Plan (LTP) public meetings right across the region. With Council looking to increase rates this round it is important the community has an opportunity to hear what is up for consideration and to have their say. The submission process has now closed with over 550 submissions received.
These will all be considered by Councillors and staff and feedback provided. The LTP hearings begin on Tuesday 22 May for those wishing to speak to their submission. The final plan will be put to Council at their meeting on Wednesday 27 June.
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If you want an indication on how your property will be affected by the proposed increases then check out our rate checker tool on the HBRC website.
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Another month under our belts and another school term has began. Where did April go?
This month we continue the Air Pollution theme and bring you some new facts and figures. HBRC monitors our air quality 24/7 with data available on our website.
We monitor air quality, rainfall, soil moisture, river levels and more. Our monthly reports indicate the state of our environment, .
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We also share all our data with LAWA. This is a national body so if you want to view a national picture of scientific data relating to the environment then this is the place to go.
Now that we are heading into winter we should see soil moisture and river levels rise. That's if we get enough rainfall. We have 38 telemetered sites across the region. These are invaluable, especially as early warning systems in flood events.
The weather has been really settled so a bit more rain would be great for the garden.
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This resource is available to download from the HBRC website. We can also provide a hard copy booklet on request. There are four chapters with a range of activities in each one - States of Matter, Atmospheric Layers, The Inversion Layer and Photosynthesis. It is designed for students in years 4 to 8.
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What is air?
Air is the different gases that make up the atmosphere of the earth. It's what we breathe.The main two gases are nitrogen 79% and Oxygen 20%. 1% of other gases including carbon dioxide and argon.
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Quick Facts:
Right now you are breathing in air that dinosaurs breathed out.
In one minute we inhale and exhale ten litres of air!
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To receive a copy of this booklet or if you have any questions contact enviro@hbrc.govt.nz
Hawke's Bay Regional Council has in place a grants & loans scheme for homeowners. To help you insulate your home and install clean heating. For more information on the Heat Smart programme visit our website.
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Prevent air pollution!
Take action for air by planting trees - Trees are basically big 'air cleaning machines'. The more trees you have the better it is for air quality. Join one of our Plant thru Winter community planting days.
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The first community planting day for the season is Saturday 26 May at Waitangi Regional Park. You can sign up on our facebook page.
For an up to date list of current community planting days planned this winter visit our website.
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Youth Environment Council
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Waste Audit Day - Monday 11 June
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Bought it, used it, tossed it in the bin - the rubbish we make is often out of sight and out of mind. But it’s time to change all that! The Hawke's Bay Youth Environment Council is proud to present it’s first ‘Waste Audit’!
Primary schools across the Bay are being asked to tip out a rubbish bin to see if anything inside can be reduced, reused or recycled! This could even be a chance to ‘rethink’ how we throw our rubbish away.
How to take part - all you need to do is post a picture of your rubbish on the ‘Hawke's Bay Youth Environment Council’ Facebook page on Waste Audit Day, Monday June 11. A team of waste minimisation experts from Councils and community groups will be online to offer advice and support. Give us a private message on Facebook and be kept in the loop as the day gets nearer!
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What our Youth Councillors are saying "I think it will cause everyone to really understand how much waste and especially plastic that they create".
"The waste audit will provoke everyone to think about more responsible ways for waste management. For example, recycling, using less plastic and using reusable products such as fabric bags".
"It is important that we get youth involved as much as possible as one day it will be them leading the charge"!
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Reducing Plastics in our kindergartens and homes
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This was the theme at Napier Kindergarten Association's Enviroschools cluster meeting held at Eskview Kindergarten during the term break. Eileen Kennedy, Education Manager for Napier Kindergartens says the day was a great success with 22 teachers taking part.
It included presentations from Togia Lui from the Environment Centre on how he motivates children to understand how plastics effect our local and global environment, as well as a talk from Lisa Eagle from Boomerang Bags, who is turning waste textiles into re-usable bags with a team of volunteers
The session included hands-on activities - making a fabric bag and learning how to make organic glitter!
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Sally Chandler - Community Engagement Coordinator
What do you do? I am the Regional Coordinator for Enviroschools Hawke's Bay. I also deliver the regional councils' education resources. I work on events for council and am currently coordinating our presence at the Better Home and Living Show later this month.
What led you to this role? When I first started with council just over 10 years ago I was part of the Communications team as an Executive Assistant. So I had some insights into what this role was all about. I have now been in this position for three years.
What's the best part of your job? The variety! Working with schools delivering a presentation, helping them at a riparian planting day or at the river doing simple hands-on activities. For me all roads lead to delivering our environmental education messages the best I can.
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We love HB Parks & Trails. Particularly beautiful at this time of the year. HB Trails have a lovely new website with lots of helpful information. Check it out.
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Investigating Animal Pests in your Green Space - check out this DOC resource
Inquiry unit | Outdoor activity | Levels: 1-4: Use this resource to investigate animal pests in your school grounds or another local green space.
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Pest Detective is an online tool to help people in New Zealand identify the presence of pest animals. It also includes activity sheets for young pest detectives.
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International School Grounds Month
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CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL GROUNDS MONTH
May is the annual, global celebration of International School Grounds Month, an event that recognises the importance of school grounds as special places that shape children and youth's experiences of the world around them. In anticipation of this event, we are pleased to announce the release of the 2018 edition of the International School Grounds Month Activity Guide.
A global collaboration!
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Hawke's Bay Better Home and Living Show -
Pettigrew Green Arena 18 - 20 May
Come and say hello to HBRC staff at the show. BIODIVERSITY is our theme.
Find out about the worst weeds in wetlands, backyard traps & tips, Plant thru Winter campaign, the very special Black billed gull and much more. We are also running a competition over the three days - see you at the show.
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May 2018
Regional Council Meetings
Agendas available to view
Wed 2 May - Regional Planning Committee
Tue 22 May - LTP Hearings (day 1)
Wed 23 May - LTP Hearings (day 2)
Thu 23 May - LTP Hearings (day 3 if required)
Wed 30 May - Regional Council
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These meetings are open to the public - see our website for more information.
Some meetings are videoed, and live-streamed - viewable from our Facebook page.
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