Workshops - Sunday, 01 December 2019

All Workshops will take place at Lincoln University.

Workshop 1: 09.00 - 17.00 (Full Day)
Meteorological and hydrological measurements and datalogging for ecology applications

Presented by Scott Technical Instruments. To answer a research objective, the selection of the right monitoring system is critical. Accurate data is especially important when your field of study is sensitive to changes in microclimate. 

Workshop 2: 10.30 - 12.30 (Half Day - Morning)
NZES as an active Treaty Partner

NZES has been actively working to enhance equity, diversity and inclusion in recent years. In our Diversity Statement and Action Plan, we recognise our obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi. We acknowledge that there is more we could do as a society to support our Māori members, build our Māori membership and build connections with iwi and hapū. 

The aim of this workshop is to brainstorm what NZES could be doing to create a better-connected and more welcoming space for all. We will use the gathered wisdom to build a strategy that will be achievable and effective. We welcome any interested people to apply to attend and we will also be inviting a number of people with expertise in this space.

Workshop 3: 13.30 - 16.30 (Half Day - Afternoon)
Ecological Impact Assessment – what, why and how?

This half-day workshop will examine the theory, practice and application of Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) in New Zealand’s terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments.  EcIA is a crucial part of decision-making on a range of environment management issues, and requires rigorous techniques of evaluation, so that implications of predicted outcomes can be assessed. During their careers, many NZ ecologists will contribute specialist information to, or undertake and report on, an EcIA under the Resource Management Act or other environmental legislation.  Other ecologists will be responsible for review and auditing for local authority consent processes.

The workshop will comprise a mix of presentations, case studies and discussion of issues around data collection, reporting, assessment and consistency. Presenters will be drawn from consultants experienced in undertaking EcIAs, and local authority staff familiar with review and assessment of EcIA reports. Participants will hear about and discuss:

• international perspectives on EcIA;
  
• the basics of the ecological impact assessment process, including the process set out in the EIANZ Guidelines (May 2018);
  
• the limitations of data collection and ecological impact assessment;
  
• preparation of a clear, accurate and informative EcIA report;
  
• the perspectives of the local authority ecologist assessing a report; and 
  
• ecological issues around the process, reporting and decision-making.
  

Workshop 4: 13.30 - 16.30 (Half Day - Afternoon)
Kaitiakitanga in urban spaces

Kaitiakitanga is a common Māori concept often used to articulate Māori environmental stewardship. It encapsulates Māori values to ensure an ethical relationship with the natural world. Through narratives, place and ideas of kinship, kaitiakitanga has become a pivotal concept for Māori in resource management within New Zealand. Limited information is available on how kaitiakitanga is applied in the urban space. Its relevance becomes more important as now 80% of Māori reside in urban centres. As we move further into the 21st century Māori concepts of environmental protection are needed to contribute to the growing response to environmental degradation. 

---