Kapiti Workshop
12 February 2001

If there isn't a co-ordinator any more - who will collect everything?

Regional reps have done some of the database entry in the past and in the future individual groups will be able to change their own details on the website.

Computer use

1/3 of people not familiar with the internet.
Annabel can co-ordinate putting information on the web initially.
Eventually we want groups to take responsibility for putting their own information in.

Won't this computer input take us away from work on the ground?

By sharing skills and good planning the work you do on the ground will be more efficient and your planting will have a higher success rate.

WRC and Kapiti Forest and Bird are looking for people to help with the nursery work.

There is a potting mix agreement organised by NZERN based in Canterbury.
The WRC also gives support to some groups for raising plants.
Could advertise on the website for volunteers.

Is there an issue with intellectual Property Rights?

The agencies who put the information there have agreed to having their information on the website. It is one way of disseminating information along with publishing the information in booklets, pamphlets, putting the information on their own website. The owners of the owners are acknowledged on the website.

Do you have back ups?

Yes at present it is done - it is a large system.

How will the network help the Councils?

Often it is difficult to find out who are the key contacts in community groups as names are not published frequently and also change. The website will be updated so that groups can have current contact details on the website.

A staff member within Porirua City Council could see benefits from being able to know who to contact especially groups not in their district.

How will the network benefit groups?

Improve moral from being part of a wider vision for the region - not alone
Improve moral by letting others know you are out there?
Access/contact details to other groups
Encourage younger members - many are computer literate and can use their computer skills to help the group.
Being incorporated in a group will give you numbers that can then give political power.
Knowing what is going on in your area
Being able to use local resources better. Local school children - education opportunity to teach wide aspects of ecology and restoration.

Who can be involved in the network?

Any project run by a community group, council, agency or landowner.
Native gardens
Species recovery projects
Other existing networks eg Coastal Dune network are a member.

How do I learn to use the network website?

Senior net can help teach you basic computer skills.
We will be running a couple of short course for people to learn how to use www.bush.org.nz. You can ring Annabel Riley to registrar interest.

Workshop Topics

Getting publicity / involvement with schools /new volunteer recruitment
Wetland enhancement and maintenance - weeds, restoration, exotic invasive plants, suitable native plantings, id, willow removal to revegetation succession, wildlife, planting Kahikatea into willows
Dune restoration
Monitoring - approx 20 people (WRC already is running a stream monitoring project)
Hard facts for amateurs - face to face training - stream or land
Wide ecological issues for the Kapiti Coast - catchment, water management. Water quality
Sandbore building

How do we start building a network?

Groups join the network and get their information on the website.
Have a meeting with groups in your area and nominate a suitable regional representative.

What will Regional Council give funding for?

Weed control
Community run projects
Providing material
Advice from staff

What are KCDC doing?

They have produced a native plant guide "Growing Native Plants in Kapiti"
Are producing a guide for structures in with the landscape.
Have produced a draft document for comment on protecting reserves including financial incentives for fencing and planting.

Workshop meeting times

Monday afternoon - was thought to fit in with most people. However there were some who wouldn't be able to attend.

Restoration Day

Date - Planning for Saturday 26 May
Will be a useful day for show and tell and exchange of information
Bring pamphlets, photos plans along

Hutt City Workshop
13 February 2001

We are in the process of starting a group - do we need to have a legal entity if you want to apply for funding ?

If you want to apply for funding you do need to be a legal entity / group / trust.
To be a member of NZERN you do not need to be a legal organisation.
NZERN has a model constitution which will be on the website which groups can use as an example.

Will we be able to pull up plant species to encourage fauna on the website?

Yes
Native Flora and Fauna species
Weed management
Animal Pests
Captive breeding programmes

Does NZERN get its postage paid ?

NZ Post will do it for free - need to follow up about it.

Do we need to get permission to be able to restore areas on Council land?

Councils may not be aware of community groups - It is advisable to talk to your local Council.

What are the steps that you need to take to get the network going?

NZERN started small - this website is version 20 and is continually evolving.

Need to fill in the form and pay the membership fee of $10 per group per year or $30 per year.
Groups get together and decide on a regional rep
To get information on to the website - send it as part of an email not as an attachment.
The website will be updated each week.
Need to get information
Names of groups who work of the project
When you have regular working bees
Any articles/newsletters written.

Is there any point in contributing if you are not computer literate?

Setting an example for other groups
Opportunity to develop computer skills.
Your group becomes more visible
Leaving a legacy for future generations
The system is simple
Opportunity to be a part of a wider network.

Workshop topics

Walk through the rare and endangered plant species - propagation of native plant species
Setting up a community group / project - how to make it sexy!
Training session for using the website. Hutt City has computers in its library and are happy to pick up the charge of the computer use for groups - talk to Kelly Crandle - Parks and Reserves, Lower Hutt City Council.
Control of noxious weeds and pest plants.
Navigating Councils/regional Councils and DOC
Knowing the right people
Basics of legislation
Funding opportunities

Timing

Week night was the preferred option for workshops

Wellington City Workshop
14 February 2001


Can we have a link from our own website to NZERN ?

Yes it is possible to have a link
It is better to have a static website without all the bells and whestles so NZERN can update your info simply.

What about rural areas where the phone lines aren't good?

NZERN is designed to run on a very basic computer so that anyone can use it.

What grid references do you have on the computer?

It is better to have an 8 figure grid reference linked to the topo maps to locate small sites.

Where are you getting your plant names from?

Landcare database
Beavers dictionary is very good. -standardisation of common names is very important.

Where did you get your generalised species lists?

Need to add threatened plants.
Colin Meurk of Landcare Research

Web server

Need to buy a database server and a web server so that Landcare can maintain it from there.
$7 000 for database server
$5 000 for a web server
$2 000 for a tape back up

How often do people need to update their information?

At present all the inputting or loading of information is down manually. In the near future a logon will replace all of this and each group will have a logon.
A member from each group will be able to update the information as often as they like.
A practice /model for the log on area exists on the computer at present as a trial. It is called Jo Bloggs and requires people to practice with it and make recommendations for changing or improving it before the log-ons are given out.
Often grass roots organisations and community groups see web-sites from agencies or companies but it is really good to see a community run database with lots of good useful information.
The system would be good to put in Macrons on Maori words - Beavers Dictionary

Would the facility link to territorial authorities and other government agencies?

There are going to be live links to Landcare NZ
It would be great to have live links to other organisations eg DoC, NIWA.

Do you have an area for commercial sponsors?

We like to thank them for the work or information they have provided however there is not a area for running advertisement on the website

Can local governments or agencies become members?

Yes anyone can become a member if they are working in the field of ecological restoration. There are various departments of the Christchurch City Council who are members e.g the waterways enhancement team. Then the department can easily change their details. The Poneke area Office of Department of Conservation are becoming members.


Next step

People to join the network and pay their subs.
Need to elect regional representatives and there if there are any problems it is easy to stay in contact with these people.
Being a regional representative is not a huge workload. There is a role as a contact person and to edit the lists of groups when it comes out. It is important that the people are hands on people from community groups or nurseries. They need to be able to lead by example.

Need to elect regional representatives based on local government wards or areas e.g Porirua, Kapiti, Hutt Valley and Wellington.

Workshop ideas

Animal pest control
Weed control
Fund raising
Monitoring
Volunteers

Workshop timing

Weekends are the best time