Urban Sustainability
In response to enquiries and Environment Southland’s involvement in the Spring Festival, we have compiled some ideas and resources to assist you with taking action for sustainability within the urban environment. The topics we have written include;
Go Native!
Many of the weedy species that are invading and damaging our natural areas are ornamental plants that have 'jumped the fence' from home gardens and gone wild! Environment Southland and Weedbusters invite Southland gardeners to fight back on behalf of our native species. How? Choose native New Zealand plants to beautify your property!
The booklet Plant Me Instead, profiles weeds commonly found in gardens that present the greatest risk to New Zealand’s native biodiversity. It also identifies beautiful native species that you can plant instead to replace the invaders and attract more native birds and wildlife to your property.
You can also visit Environment Southland's pest plant page for more information.
Stormwater and Urban biodiversity
Many species rely on urban waterways, even though they are highly modified. Stormwater impacts on our urban waterways by altering hydrological function, water quality and habitat for plants and animals.
What is stormwater?
Stormwater is the water that runs off surface areas like roofs, roads and driveways following rain. It is transported either diffusely or is discharged via conduits or drains (lined or unlined) directly from surface areas into natural watercourses or onto or into land.
What are the risks?
Contaminants within stormwater may include sediment, oil and grease, organic material, faecal material and hazardous chemicals. The risk of such contaminants being present is higher when the discharge is from industrial or trade premises or from a reticulated system that collects stormwater from a larger area and a number of properties.
What can you do?
- Prevent pollution of waterways
Check out Environment Southland's Pollution Prevention Guide that contains specific information for industrial and commercial businesses. For more information, see the Pollution Prevention page or contact Pollution Prevention at Environment Southland on 03 211 5115 or 0800 76 88 45.
- Get to know your local waterways
Stream Connections is a resource for Southland schools to help them connect with the many accessible rivers and streams in their catchment, both inside and outside the classroom. It allows students to explore and discover their local waterways, learn about their environmental value and make connections with their waterways.
- Get involved in community projects to improve water quality
The Living Streams Programme offers financial assistance for projects that are designed to enhance and protect water quality in the Waihopai River. (Conditions apply.) The Living Streams team is particularly interested in hearing about projects that will help to improve the quality of stormwater entering the Waihopai River. If you are part of a community group with a vision for the river and you have some ideas for action, please contact the Living Streams Project Manager at Environment Southland on 03 211 5115 or 0800 76 88 45 to discuss the possibility of financial assistance.
- Raise awareness by painting fish on drains
Painting fish on drains is a great way to help people identify their nearest stormwater drain. It also creates awareness that what goes down the drain goes into the river, the estuary and eventually to the sea. The Invercargill Environment Centre (IEC) has resources for teaching people about stormwater drains and can supply paint and a fish template for paint fishing on drains around their school, business or neighbourhood.
- Know the rules
If you are discharging (or proposing to discharge) stormwater, you need to be aware of the requirements for managing stormwater under the Southland Regional Water Plan. Refer to Environment Southland’s stormwater guide http://www.es.govt.nz/plans/water/stormwater-guide.aspx for details of the relevant rules, and other information about applying for permits for the discharge of stormwater in the Southland region.
What's on my doorstep?
Native bush remnants
You don't have to go far to experience native wildlife and plants unique to our Southland environment. Below is a map of native biodiversity remnants that are right on the doorstep of Invercargill. At these sites you can hear native birds and take a step back in time, while getting exercise on the walking tracks, and it is all right on your doorstep!
Internationally important wetland
Invercargill has a wetland of international significance right on its doorstep. The Waituna Lagoon/Awarua Wetlands complex was the first place in New Zealand to have a wetland officially recognised under the Ramsar Convention and it is listed on the Ramsar list of Wetlands of International Importance. To visit this special place right on your doorstep and to find out more, see the DOC website.
Your own patch
Do you have a fragment of old-growth native forest on your property? Or a wetland area, native vegetated stream bank, native scrub or tussock grass on your property? If so, would you like to find out more information about the natural features and wildlife that it supports? Environment Southland is conducting FREE surveys of native biodiversity to help property owners gain a better understanding of what is on their patch. The surveys also provide useful tips on how to take care of your patch of native biodiversity. Read more about the High Value Areas Programme here.
Join or form a landcare group
Perhaps you have gone out and experienced some special native biodiversity on the doorstep of Invercargill, or maybe even found out more information about what is on your own property, but still want to do more. You can join or form your own landcare group to work with others to help take care of a special place in or around Invercargill.
Some existing local landcare groups at Bluff, Myross Bush, Otatara, Riverton and Waituna which you can get involved with are listed on the SERN website.
Perhaps you want to estabilish a landcare group at Thompson's Bush? Or an area local to you? You can find out more about joining or forming your own landcare group here.
Habitat tips
Check out other ways to get involved with protecting the biodiversity on your doorstep, or how to create habitat for biodiversity on your doorstep.
What you can do at school
As a school student, there is a lot you could do in your own school grounds. Here are some ideas - talk about them with your teacher.
Weed busting
Are there weeds growing in your school that are pest plants? Ask your school about having a pest plant investigation. Check out the Go Native section on this page for information and advice. Dispose of pest plants properly, then - Go Native!
Local landscape
What is the makeup of your school landscape? What is the area of buildings or concrete surfaces compared to the area of vegetation? What kinds of vegetation are there? The Living Landscapes Measuring Change tool is a web-based resource that allows school to measure these things – and more - to give an overview of the school landscape types. This can be used to identify where improvements can be made, and to track those changes over time. See www.measuringchange.co.nz.
Stream life
Interested in finding out about a stream near your school? What lives there? Where has the water come from? Is it clear and healthy? A programme called Stream Connections allows students to study and connect with a local stream. Talk to your teacher. For more information about Stream Connections, ask your teacher to call Environment Southland.
What's special about Brucie, the winged mascot of Environment Southland? He's more than just a bird! Brucie loves Southland and is out to make our environment as good as it can be. Join Brucie in his club Brucie's Buddies. Brucie's Buddies is for anyone up to age 14. You'll receive a colourful fun bulletin that has environmental news, and actions to reduce waste and take care of the environment. There are also fun activities and competitions.
Environment Southland is the brand name of Southland Regional Council.