Kereru is a weekly NZ e-mail for all community participants and organisations about ecological restoration. Help bring back our natives. Kereru is available at
http://www.bush.org.nz/kereru/ Monday, 5th May 2008 Welcome to Kereru. CONTENTS
1. News for NZERN members
2. Restoration Calendar
3. How to contact NZERN
1. NEWS FOR NZERN MEMBERS
The calendar of regular events and Kereru has been delayed by major project deadlines and will return in May. Chemicals Database
A database about the properties and uses for 75 chemicals has been completed. These chemicals are currently in common use for pest and weed control, by native plant nurseries and as fertilsers when planting. A web page will be provided for each chemical as part of the wiki project, with the objective chemical properties included in a table that cannot be edited by the public. All known trade names for each chemical will be published. Thank you everyone who provided lists of what they used. Soils Database
The old soil series names have been added to the soils database along with soil survey information. In future it will be possible get a planting list for each soil series name. There are several thousand soil series names. This information will also be provide on the wiki project web pages. Ecosystems Database
A database about each habitat and ecosystem is currently being created. Every known ecosystem type found within New Zealand's territory is being included - from seamount's to geothermal stream banks, kelp forests, peat bogs, inland salt pans, sea grass communities and mountain beech forests. The objective properties that define each ecosystem are being gathered from many existing ecosystem classifications and lists. NZERN's existing draft Ecosystem Dendogram (2004)
DoC's Wetland Classification
MFE Marine Classification
Draft Geothermal + Cave Classification
Draft River, Lake and Estuary Classification
Threatened Ecosystem Classification
Land Systems classifications mainly produced by Lucas Associates
Numerous lists from many other sources
NZERN's GIS system which contains 500+ GIS layers
Exotic weed ecosystems A web page will be provided for each type of ecosystem as part of the wiki project, with the objective ecosystem properties included in a table that cannot be edited by the public. Maps will eventually be included. Members will be able to provide pictures, more descriptions, links and add specific references. Every restoration site will then be able to be linked to the relevant ecosystems. Wiki project
To simplify searching and enable direct editing of pages by NZERN members, 95% of the 25,000 pages on this web site are being consolidated to a single page for each topic like Wikipedia. 90% of the information will appear for the first time. 14,000 new replacement pages will be automatically created and then randomly checked. There will then be a change-over-date when all the new pages appear. Phone Mike Peters 03-980-0902 during office hours for more information or if you want to help. You can look at the draft web page designs at the Wekanui Bush Website http://www.demo.bush.org.nz/eng//index.html 28/04/2008
NZERN Help Desk
2. HOW TO CONTACT NZERN
NZERN's main on-line resource is at www.bush.org.nz. Please encourage people to use this and let us know how they would like to see it developed. People without easy access to a computer can still use this resource at most public libraries. Useful Pages
* http://www.bush.org.nz/nzern/ - about NZERN.
* http://www.bush.org.nz/whatson/ - what is on in your area, how to volunteer.
* http://www.bush.org.nz/toolbox/ - look up suitable native plants for your area.
* http://www.bush.org.nz/directory/ - list of groups, nurseries and restoration sites. Help with a restoration project in your area!
* http://www.bush.org.nz/forum/ - forums
* http://www.bush.org.nz/onair/ internet radio
* http://www.help.bush.org.nz - how the members only website works
* http://www.testcentre.bush.org.nz - improvements to the website How to contact NZERN
http://www.bush.org.nz/nzern/contact.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Next Kereru, Monday, 12th May 2008
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