Join us for the last nursery session for the year!

These volunteer sessions teach propagation/cultivation techniques, leading on to planting and nurturing of the young plants on project sites and are guided by our Nursery Manager. No specific skills or experience are needed, simply drop in and join us.

Everyone is welcome to attend.
Delicious coffee from Venus and snacks are provided.

The nursery sessions will be taking a break from December 24th till 5th January. The next session for the new year will be Tuesday 6th January.

Address

Location: Cardrona River Bridge (off of Ballantyne road past Wastebusters – look for the WAI flags)

What to Bring:
Gloves
Weather-appropriate clothing
Sturdy footwear
Friends, co-workers and whānau!

Join us for a rewarding day of action at the Cardrona River Clean-Up! This is a fantastic opportunity to protect our local waterways while contributing to citizen science.

All collected rubbish will be sorted and recorded in Sustainable Coastlines’ national Litter Intelligence database, helping to track and reduce pollution in our environment.

Everyone is welcome, let’s make a difference together!

Join us for a free workshop on growing native forests.

The workshop is designed to inspire and guide landowners, community members, and nature enthusiasts. Native forests support biodiversity, improve water quality, and help fight climate change by sequestering carbon.

Location: Wānaka Community Hub, 34 McDougall Street, Wānaka

Register now

Secure your spot now via Eventbrite

What you'll learn about

• Growing native forests – Aidan Braid, Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service

• Assisted natural regeneration and transition forestry – Dr Adam Forbes, Forbes Ecology

• Natives and the Emissions Trading Scheme – Aidan Braid, Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service

This workshop is hosted by Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service to support sustainable native afforestation efforts.

Hosted jointly by Otago Catchment Community and the New Zealand Landcare Trust.

🗓 When: Wednesday 10th December, 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm (online)
🎯 Purpose: For Otago’s urban catchment group leaders to connect, share experiences, and strengthen collaboration between Otago’s urban catchment groups.

Not-for-Profit Governance Essentials course on at the Leisure Lodge, Dunedin.

In this one-day course you will learn the roles and responsibilities of the board and directors from a not-for-profit perspective. At the end of the course your will have a confident grasp of board relationships, robust processes, good decision-making, and the main elements of board operations.

Price: $130 per person (if you’re part of an Otago catchment group talk to OCC about this cost being covered for you)

Facilitator: Giselle McLachlan CFInstD

Please email governancedevelopment@iod.org.nz to register your interest.

Join Ida Valley Catchment Group for a afternoon of learning about drone spraying in beautiful Poolburn Gorge. Meeting at the Poolburn Hub 3pm. Any questions please get in touch idavalley.cg@gmail.com

Booking open for unwanted or expired agrichemical collection runs in December 2025.

Booking Deadline 15 November 2025.

With free or subsidised recovery for over 3,000 products, Agrecovery makes it easy to return unwanted or expired agrichemicals. Most are free to dispose of, though some may incur a cost, which will be confirmed before collection.

Please take an inventory of your agrichemicals and book via agrecovery.co.nz or info@agrecovery.org.nz

Get consent-ready with our Animal Effluent Storage and Discharge Requirement Workshop.

Are you ready to meet the consent rules for animal effluent by 4 December 2025? All dairy farms in Otago must have lodged resource consent applications for their animal effluent storage and discharge systems by 4 December 2025.

We're running free workshops to help farmers prepare and follow the rules around animal effluent storage and discharge systems.

There will be three workshops:

• Papakaio: 21 October, 1-3pm at Papakaio Community Hall

• Tapanui: 30 October, 1-3pm at Tapanui Community Library 

• Balclutha: 12 November, 1-3pm at Clutha District War Memorial & Community Centr

You will need to register for a workshop.

What you can expect to be covered in the workshops:

• The current rules for animal effluent storage and discharge

• Whether you need to apply for consents by 4 December 2025

• What to expect during the annual compliance inspections

You’ll have the chance to ask questions and speak directly with ORC consents and compliance staff, as well as industry professionals.

Register at https://www.orc.govt.nz/environment/land-care/managing-nutrients/effluent-management/animal-effluent-storage-and-discharge-requirement-workshops/

Got any questions about the workshop? Contact us: catchments@orc.govt.nz

If your group already sends out newsletters — or you’re thinking about starting one — we’d love to invite you to a practical workshop:

📰 Workshop: Creating Newsletters that Connect
📅 Wednesday, 12th November 2025 | 🕥 10.30am – 2.00pm
📍 Central Otago District Council Chambers, Alexandra
🍽 Lunch provided

Hosted by Otago Catchment Community (OCC) and Bex Borland – Marketing Consultant, Borland Marketing, this session will explore how to create engaging newsletters that strengthen connections with your members and community.

Spaces are limited, so please RSVP by 10th November to:
admin@otagocatchments.co.nz 

Get consent-ready with our Animal Effluent Storage and Discharge Requirement Workshop.

Are you ready to meet the consent rules for animal effluent by 4 December 2025? All dairy farms in Otago must have lodged resource consent applications for their animal effluent storage and discharge systems by 4 December 2025.

We're running free workshops to help farmers prepare and follow the rules around animal effluent storage and discharge systems.

There will be three workshops:

• Papakaio: 21 October, 1-3pm at Papakaio Community Hall

• Tapanui: 30 October, 1-3pm at Tapanui Community Library 

• Balclutha: 12 November, 1-3pm at Clutha District War Memorial & Community Centr

You will need to register for a workshop.

What you can expect to be covered in the workshops:

• The current rules for animal effluent storage and discharge

• Whether you need to apply for consents by 4 December 2025

• What to expect during the annual compliance inspections

You’ll have the chance to ask questions and speak directly with ORC consents and compliance staff, as well as industry professionals.

Register at https://www.orc.govt.nz/environment/land-care/managing-nutrients/effluent-management/animal-effluent-storage-and-discharge-requirement-workshops/

Got any questions about the workshop? Contact us: catchments@orc.govt.nz

Check out this event from Great South aimed at helping and empowering farmers and rural communities to better understand and access solar energy solutions.

It’s FREE to attend, RSVP here https://forms.office.com/r/MTtj9LLELK

Are you a Southland or Otago agritourism operator?

Are you interested in learning more about agritourism?

Then come along to the launch of the (pilot) Agritourism NZ Southland/Otago Network to learn what it's all about.

Monday 20 October, from 10am-1pm

Welcome Rock Trails, Garston, Southland

Cost: $29 (includes lunch)

Save the date and register your interest here: agritourism.nz/regional-agritourism-networks.html

New to a board or committee role, or looking to strengthen your governance skills?

huddl is excited to host a special workshop with Dr Jo Cribb – experienced board director, consultant, strategist and author.

The Foundations of Good Governance is a practical, applied session covering:

*What governance is (and how it differs from management & operations)

*Your duties as a board member

*The four key functions of community boards

*What great not-for-profit community boards do (and don't do)

Details:

Salvation Army Queenstown, 8 Pin Oak Avenue, Frankton, Queenstown

$35 per person (GST inclusive) - Are you in an Otago catchment group? OCC could cover this fee if so

Places are limited and expected to fill fast – registration is essential.

https://events.humanitix.com/foundations-of-good...

We would love to see you at the AGM for Otago South River Care on Thursday 16th October. 

It's being held in the gallery area at Te Pou Ō Mata-Au from 7pm.  Open to anyone, you do not need to be a current member to attend.

A light supper will be provided.

Presented by: Dr Melissa Robson-Williams and Dr Linda Lilburne Bioeconomy Science Institute 

In Aotearoa New Zealand and globally we need methods to help us comprehend how multiple environmental and social problems interact.

For example, there are interactions between the various critical issues of biodiversity, environmental quality, energy security, food security, climate change, resource depletion.

Systems thinking is one way to grapple with complexity. Our study is refining and testing an innovative systems-informed approach to thinking about the future demands and constraints on the land.

The objective of our research is to help participants consider multiple complex problems and the subsequent implications over time for resilience, maladaptation, environmental, and societal outcomes. We have held four experimental workshops aimed at small groups of researchers and decision-makers, using a causal loop diagram to guide participants through a discussion and experiential activity.

This webinar will report the learnings of these workshops.

We look forward to having you attend the event!

Register to attend this webinar
Microsoft Virtual Event Powered by Teams

Register now

Come along to a hands-on workshop and learn how to check the health of your local stream using NIWA’s Stream Health Monitoring and Assessment Kit (SHMAK). Together we’ll look at water health indicators such as water clarity, temperature, conductivity, macroinvertebrate and fish populations.

Hosted by OCC, WAI Wānaka, ORC, Otago Fish and Game, and Lowburn Catchment Group.

Lowburn Community Hall - 58 Lowburn Valley Road.

Limited spaces - RSVP to Nicole Sutton 0221283591 or nicole@otagocatchments.co.nz

Join the Thomsons Catchment Project to plant 200 carex to help keep Orkney wetland thriving!

Bring along your gumboots, gloves, a spade, and a water bottle – and lend a hand.

Many hands make light work – together we can make a big difference for our environment.

Waikouaiti Community Catchment Event

Come along and hear from experts about water quality, biodiversity, estuary health, and exciting projects happening in the Waikouaiti Catchment.

This event is held in collaboration with the Mt Watkins / Hikaroroa Conservation Group .

It’s a fantastic opportunity to catch up with neighbours and landowners, share ideas, and connect with others in the community.

The evening will finish with a BBQ and a beer – we’d love to see you there!

Eastern Rugby Club, Waikouaiti

Waiora Manuherekia are THRILLED to announce Agritech in the Manuherekia is coming!

Join them on Friday 10 October, 1pm at Matakanui Station to see the latest farming technology in action.

Drones. Automated Tractors. Electric side-by-sides and utes. Renewable energy solutions. Plus more exhibitors to talk to

Come along and discover how agritech can save time, boost efficiency, and help shape the future of farming in Central Otago.

Matakanui Station, 1524 Moutere-Disputed Spur Road, Omakau

Free entry – all welcome!

Are you interested in improving your on-farm solid waste management? Join us for a free session to hear practical farmer-to-farmer solutions from rural leader and dairy farmer Trish Rankin.

https://www.wasteminz.org.nz/events/ruralwaste

This will be an opportunity for researchers who work on freshwaters across the University to briefly introduce their research to others within the University and beyond. The style is informal and intended to provide an opportunity for University staff and students, and external stakeholders, to meet one another and discuss mutual interests.

Where:  Tūhura Otago Museum
Free (catering is provided, so please ensure that you register below for catering purposes)

REGISTER HERE BEFORE 8TH AUGUST: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=xe8lAv54KEmxV57ySAnputRICJJJqIhPvpZfqT1iaLZUM0QwN0g1VTlVV0lOVDQyODQ2Q1FITjFEVC4u

Location: Bullock Creek (look for the WAI flags near Speights Ale House) 

It’s world Habitat Day! Head out to Bullock Creek with us for a stream health assessment. Together we will learn about suitable habitats for aquatic life, measure, and record a selection of indicators that reflect how healthy the water is.

It’s all about having fun, hands on learning, and making a positive impact on local waterways. All welcome – no experience necessary!

What to bring:

• Weather appropriate clothes

• Rubber boots (if you have them)

• Sturdy footwear

• Friends and whānau

All welcome. Tamariki / children must be accompanied by an adult.

Volunteer Events - WAI Wānaka

Planting day with Lowburn Catchment Group

Meet at Lowburn Hall  10am Saturday October 4th

We will be planting out the area we have been clearing next to the Lowburn Stream where it flows into the inlet.

Here’s the chance to join in on the good fun stuff, making this area an attractive place for our community, friends and visitors, as well as making beneficial habitat for our aquatic species, insects and birds.

Bring: gloves, spade or trowel (or we will supply some), water bottle.
Wear: gumboots or strong boots, sunhat, sunscreen etc.

MORE INFO:

Email: lowburncatchment@gmail.com or text: 021450846

VALLEY FEST 2025 EVENT!

Join Open Valley Urban Ecosanctuary for a hands-on volunteer morning with Open VUE and The Valley Project!

What’s happening?
We’re rallying residents, visitors, and volunteers to help nurture our valley’s native biodiversity by cleaning up their habitat. Come along—no need to register, just bring enthusiasm!

Why join?
Your couple hours can make a real difference in helping restore our urban ecosanctuary and support native wildlife. All tools and will be provided—no experience necessary. Please wear closed-toe shoes and appropriate weather gear.

Free and inclusive—just turn up and do your thing! Light refreshments will be provided.

Join the Rural Support Trust for a free Brunch!
A Get-together for the whole Team!

Just drop in, no speeches, no presentations - just a warm welcome, some delicious food & a few good yarns!

Tapanui Golf Club

Join the Rural Support Trust for a free Brunch!
A Get-together for the whole Team!

Just drop in, no speeches, no presentations - just a warm welcome, some delicious food & a few good yarns!

Papakaio Community Hall

Join the Rural Support Trust for a free Brunch!
A Get-together for the whole Team!

Just drop in, no speeches, no presentations - just a warm welcome, some delicious food & a few good yarns!

Clutha Valley Rugby Club