Nga Manu's Winter Lecture Series
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Don't miss the 2019 Winter Lecture Series at Nga Manu Nature Reserve (in our Robin's Nest building).
Call 04 2934131 to book your seats. Entry by paper koha. Arrive at 3:30 pm for tea & biscuits with the Lectures starting at 4 pm.
4 lectures remain on the following environmental themes...
Wednesday 12 June
Geoff Ridley, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research
'Fungi of Kāpiti and Wellington'
While Kāpiti and Wellington were the sites of some of the earliest fungal exploration, they have not been well explored. This presentation will look at the habitats that occur in these areas and the different fungi associated with them.
Thursday 25 July
Deidre Vercoe and Andrew Digby, DoC
'Saving the Kākāpō - the Big 2019 Breeding Season'
The kākāpō breeding season of 2019 was by far the biggest on record, with over 200 eggs laid by 49 females. We’ll provide an update on what happened during the year, and describe the ground-breaking conservation technology and management methods which are used to protect this unique and charismatic parrot.
Wednesday 7 August
Phil Lester, Victoria University of Wellington
'Gene Editing for Invasive Wasp Control'
Over the last century Common and German wasps invaded and established colonies throughout the country. In honeydew beech forest wasps reach the highest densities known in the world. What is the potential of new gene editing technologies for wasp and pest control? How safe is gene editing? How close are we to using it? And would it effectively control wasps if we did genetically modify these pests?
Wednesday 21 August
Simon Upton
'The Role of the New Zealand Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment'
The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment is a unique advisory role found nowhere else in the world. Fully independent of the Government of the day, the Commissioner has the freedom to investigate any environmental issue they see fit. Simon Upton was appointed in October 2017. He will talk about the role of his office and some of the work he has completed or has underway.