Transition Valley 473

Hi. We're a group of residents from North East Valley, Opoho, Dalmore, Liberton, Pine Hill, Normanby and Mt Mera in North Dunedin. We've got together to help the Valley on our transition journey - coping with the climate, energy and economic changes that are coming.

We welcome local residents to join us - turn up at an event and introduce yourself, or you can email us at transitionvalley@king.net.nz for more information.

Upcoming Events

The Project are holding a meeting to discuss the development

of a Community Garden.

Time: 5.30pm—6.45pm

Date: Thursday 9th September

Venue: The community rooms at 248 North Road, NEV.

The Project was successful in obtaining HEHA (Healthy Eating Healthy Action) funding for a Community Garden in North East Valley. This meeting is open to all

community members who are interested in sharing their ideas on where it will be and what it might look like.

Please RSVP to Amanda Brown on 4700 851 or email amandab@psotago.org.nz for catering purposes.

 

 

NEV PERMACULTURE COURSE

Peta Hudson is a qualified and experienced permaculture teacher. She is offering a course in practical permaculture for the NEV area starting in September. Please see course outline attached below. Please send expressions of interest to Peta on peta@gaiamoana.org.nz

Taking cuttings from currants etc
Would you like to learn how to do this? TV473 will hold a few informal workshops. Tel 473 9535 if you are interested.

Dunedin's Big Green Challenge

http://www.biggreenchallenge.co.nz/ On October 10 2010, thousands of communities all over the world will be getting to work as part of a Global Climate Working Bee organised by 350.org: the biggest DIY event the world has ever seen!

To support this day, Sustainable Dunedin City Inc. has money, time and expertise to offer to help community organisations, businesses, schools or groups to get its community project off the ground.

In particular, they are interested in projects focused on the areas of water, transport, energy and food. Do you have ideas or energy to lead an event in the Transition Vallley area? if so, please contact us!

Signs of Change - A national e-conference showcasing transition to sustainability

15-16 November 2010, Christchurch

With local live connections to venues in:

Dunedin, Wellington, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Auckland

http://www.signsofchange.org.nz/

The Signs of Change Conference is for engineers, scientists, business people, council workers, educators, students, health workers, farmers, transition town members... anyone who wants to know about initiatives in sustainability.  Our perceptions and expectations of the future are shaped by our experiences.  If we see and hear about signs of change in a direction that is fruitful, restorative, respectful and sustainable, then it can become our reality.  This conference provides and opportunity to make connections, share ideas, and learn what others are doing.

Films for loan

Movie "HOME"- A Hymn for the planet. Released worldwide June 5th 2009

*TV473 has a high resolution version of the film 'Home' that was screened on Earth Day from (www.home-2009.com) via youtube (.flv) or converted to a normal DVD movie format. If anyone would like to borrow them, and perhaps watch it with friends/ neighbours etc, email Chris : bracey-browns at clear.net.nz

Also "A Farm for the Future". Produced by the BBC, this film asks the question how England could feed itself in a post-Oil, Climate Changed world. Some of the themes it explores are permaculture and no-till pasture systems.

Earthwhisperers. This absorbing documentary focuses on 10 visionary New Zealanders who are environmentalists, seed savers, organic growers...The film, by Kathleen Gallagher was shot at spectacular locations around New Zealand and is described as inspirational.

 

Initiating Group Information

The group currently consists of residents who want to get a Transition Town moving in Dunedin North. We welcome new members who are good at organising, or those interested in our Food & Garden & Energy working groups. In the spirit of the "traditional" 12 steps group though, we see our role as temporary, lasting only as long as needed until we have "sub groups" (focus area groups) in place.

About the Valley and Catchment

The catchment of Lindsay Creek, which runs through North East Valley forms a potential transition community. We have a nacent community formed around such facilities as the Gardens retail area, and Dunedin North Intermediate and other schools. We cover both urban and rural land, and our population includes families, retirees and school and tertiary students. Our population is 3000+ and our phone numbers (mostly) start with 473....

Community sustaining initiatives running in the valley include the North East Valley News, a monthly newsletter /noticeboard published by the North East Valley Community Programme, and the North East Valley Community Development Project, which involves local schools and businesses to improve the welfare of residents. The report from the Project is available for download and summaries of key points appeared in the April and May 2009 issues of Valley News.

Transition Valley 473 aims to bring together the community to plan out - and live - our energy descent.

Join our mailing list for announcements:

At http://list.king.net.nz/listinfo/transitionvalley-announce

You can also see the previous posts there, made since the list was started a few months ago.

Groups - Focus areas

We expect groups will work in with existing Community Initiatives:

• Energy
• Transport
• Economy and currency
• Housing, particularly improving old houses- See the Retrofit project.
• Food & Gardening

and any other areas residents see as important.

Ongoing projects

Projects we are planning for the Valley include:

• Film and talk series
• Fruit and nut tree plantings
• Street based sharing of surplus and gardening support
• Sustainable transport - bikes, car sharing, electric trams or trolley buses.
• Community gardens
• A local currency
• Water - rain barrels
• Retrofittiing insulation

Community Orchard ~ 1000 Fruit and Nut Trees

As a community we are planning to look after ourselves and each other into the future when food and its transport become increasingly expensive. One way we can do this is by planting and looking after fruit and nut trees in our community.

Transition Valley 473 has received some funding to start planting fruit and nut trees as part of our Community Orchard - 1000 Fruit and Nut Trees Project.

We have initially identified the areas of public land listed below in North East Valley and Pine Hill as places where trees could be planted for harvesting by the community. We are interested in ideas about other possible sites.

Between Calder Ave and Buchanan Street   - short term goal 
Chingford Park - short term goal
Wilkinson Street - short term goal
Pine Hill Park - short term goal

Pentland Street Playground - under consideration  
The unformed section of Arnold Street, Lennox Street - long term goal as very overgrown

Grass verge on Radnor St, near intersection with Arnold - under consideration

Over the last few months we have been consulting with the Dunedin City Council and the local community and we are delighted that there appears to be strong support for community orchards. We revised the initial planting plans in response to feedback from locals and expert advice. These were followed by community workshops to prepare for planting at 4 of the proposed sites: Chingford Park, Calder Ave, Wilkinson St, Pine Hill Park. And then, on June 19th, we gathered again to plant the first fruit and nut trees!

In the long term we would love to have local people involved in the ongoing care of the trees in their neighbourhood, and plan to hold future workshops about tree care (including pruning), and preserving fruit.

For more information or to get involved, please contact Philippa,the Community Orchard Coordinator on 473 9293. Thanks to ... HEHA for providing financial support for this project, Dunedin City Council and Sutherland Nurseries for expert advice and support. The North East Valley Community Project, The Valley News and North East Valley School for their support.

Fruit and Nut Tree Register

We have the vision to plant 1000 fruit and nut trees in our area. Some will be planted in schools and public places. But we're also keen for all residents to plant new fruit and nut trees on their own properties. We hope this will be our first concrete (or should I say wooden?) project. To encourage people to do this, we are going to provide information and support, as well as letting them know where they can get seedlings from.

We began a register in 2009 - then realised how complicated it is! We want to maintain the privacy of trees in private gardens, while collecting information about what trees and cultivars are growing well in particular locations. Fruit and nut trees growing on public land can be mapped on google maps and Amanda Rogers from the Dunedin Underground Fruit Economy is doing a great job with this. Check out their facebook page. At the moment TV473 have paused on this project, however, if you have ideas on an easy way to get the register to work and computer skills to volunteer, please contact us.

In the mean time, you can still help us achieve our vision of 1000 fruit and nut trees! Fruit trees are available from Youthgrow (see attachment at the bottom of the page) and Sutherland Nurseries, and you can find out about caring for trees from Peter Waymouth.

 

Previous Events

 

June 19 - Fruit and nut tree planting: 10am-12pm at Chingford Park, followed by Calder St and 12.30 - 2.30pm at Wilkinson St, followed by Pine Hill Park. Jason Ross will show how to correctly plant the fruit and nut trees that have been selected. We have prepared the holes at our recent 'digging' working bees, mixing in horse manure and removing stones.

Saturday 15 May 2010, 2 pm, has been scheduled for digging holes in preparation for the fruit and nut tree planting in Winter. Meet at your closest site - Chingford Park (Across the stream to the right, after the sports ground); Calder Ave; Wilkinson St, Pine Hill Park.

 

Saturday 24th April- Fruit and Nut Tree Workshops.

Free- thanks to funding from Otago District Health Board’s Healthy Eating, Healthy Action (HEHA)

 

Jason Ross from Sutherland Nursery will visit four selected sites to meet with interested locals ahead of the fruit and nut tree planting in June. He will explain how to choose what species and cultivars are suitable for a site and how to prepare for planting. Come along to a site near you!

12pm Chingford Park, by the sports ground; then at the southeast corner of the park, past the old swimming pool, near the stream.

1pm top of Calder St, NEV

2pm Wilkinson Street Playground, Pine Hill

3.00pm Pine Hill Park

Tree species being considered are hazelnut, chestnut, walnut, elderberry, mulberry, apple, pear, plum.

If you have produce made from any of these, please bring along a little to share and your recipe! Cuttings to share would also be great.

Final decisions about what to plant will be made after these workshops and the trees will be planted in June. If you have any questions or comments, please contact Philippa on 473 9293.

Seed Saving Workshop Sunday 28 February, 2010 1 pm.
Transition Valley 473 is holding a seed-saving workshop, led by Bart Acres of Otepoti Urban Organics and Symbiosis Seed Exchange. Learn how to harvest and store your own vegetable seeds.
$5/$3. Afternoon tea included. Please phone Philippa 473 9293 to book.

*SUSTAINABILITY THEMED BOOK NIGHT*

WHEN: Monday 15th February,2010, 7-9pm
WHERE: Dalmore
WHAT TO BRING: 1-2 books

Do you have some books that have made a positive impression on how you think or feel about nature, sustainable living or community? Would you like to hear about what books other people recommend on this topic? If so we would love to see you at our Sustainability Book Night!
This Book Night is being run for people living in the wider Valley area (Pine Hill, Dalmore, Opoho, NEV or Normanby). For more information or to register please contact Maureen on 4739967 or Polly on 4739391 or email mhoward@slingshot.co.nz.
PS - We'd also love to hear from you if you would like to be part of a sustainability themed Bookclub.

350.org Event, Oct 2009

Transition Valley 473 held a 350.org event in Baldwin Street on Saturday October 24rd 9-10am as part of the world-wide 350 campaign on climate change. We and the community created a living scale on Baldwin Street to show the 350 carbon parts per million target. Well done and thanks to all (particularly Tania and Kevin). Links to Dunedin video and photos. This was the most widespread day of political action in history with 5200 events in 181 countries (http://www.350.org/). Now on to Copenhagen where we require our leaders to commit to the right (needed) actions. Keep up the pressure on the NZ government.

Retrofitting Insulation in Houses

The Waitati TT and Dunedin Schemes have successfully completed (June 2009). More information on new projects from EECA and the government press release there.

Food and Garden

Seed & Seedling Swap
The seed and seedling 19th Sept 2009 at the Gardens New World supermarket was a successful event. There were 3 or 4 of us on the stall for the two-hour timeslot and we were kept pretty busy! Thanks to all who contributed, particularly Bart of the Symbiosis Seed Exchange (and Otepoti Urban Organics), Ross, Keri, Kristen and Polly. We swapped, gave away and offered for donation a number of cuttings, seeds and seedlings. Some people brought things to swap, but most were happy to give a donation, and we raised money in donations which will be put towards future Food & Garden group activities.

Symbiosis Seed Exchange
If you are interested in getting seeds or contributing some to this new local seed exchange, please contact Bart at otepoti.urban.organics@gmail.com

Friday 2 October 2009 at 12 noon Alex Huffadine from the Cromwell campus of Otago Polytech will talk about fruit tree growing for the home garden. Venue: Botanic Garden centre between the top gardens carpark and the Opoho Bowling Club. Free.

Lots of good ideas were shared at the 'brainstorming' meeting in May and we heard about some great initiatives that are already happening. For example, produce and cuttings are being shared via "Freecycle" You can register on www.freecycle.org. Several people have offered to teach anyone who is interested how to take cuttings and to make preserves. We held a fruit tree pruning workshop in July anyone want to host this in their garden and have their trees pruned? Are you planting fruit or nut trees this winter? If so, let us know so we can add them to our register and help us reach our target of 1000 fruit and nut trees planted in the wider Valley area. If you have ideas, or want to be contacted about 'food and garden' happenings, contact Philippa.

Sutherland Nursery's first open day on Feb 28th was a great success. Jason Ross is a mine of information about growing fruit trees. He gave us tips for successfully raising apple trees at home, producing good crops without needing great labour or effort to prevent pests and disease.

The Great Edible garden tour was held on 22nd March 2009. We are planning a couple of edible garden tours in the Transition Valley area for November. Gardens are to be confirmed. If you know of any great gardens that we could visit in November or later, let Adrianne ( 473-0995) know.

Films and Education

 

Dunedin Rideshare workshop, was held by the DCC on Thursday 6 August, 2009 12 - 2.30pm

Earth Whisperers/ Papatuanuku film screening, Friday August 14th

End of Suburbia was screened on 14th May.

Power of Community was screened at four locations on the 16th, 17th, 18 & 19th of March.

Our first event, a talk titled "Is our community resilient enough?" and held 12 February 2009 attracted about 70 people.

Water, stormwater and waste

TV 473 was invited to contribute to the development of these aspects of the DCC's draft TLCCP. The following issues were raised:
- the urgent need for the DCC to plan for climate change and sea level rise;
- managing (and reducing) the demand for resources, for example through promotion of rainwater collection, greywater reuse and composting toilets, through bylaw changes and grants/loans/education/DCC investigation into their use;
- the improvement of our existing water, stormwater and sewerage systems to a high standard;
- stormwater - provision of cigarette butt collection with all litter bins, more litterbins, more public recycling bins, education programmes
- upgrading of sewage to tertiary treatment by 2011 as stipulated, reuse of treated material e.g. compost, mulch

We created a page on 'giving away to a good home' reusable goods in the North East Valley area (link).

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Join our mailing list for announcements:

At http://list.king.net.nz/listinfo/transitionvalley-announce

 

 

Attachment	Size
Baldwin St 350 action.pdf	68.16 KB
In Transition Movie Waitati Poster.pdf	233.17 KB
fruittrees.pdf	153.25 KB
Schedule for permaculture course NEV 2010.doc	29.5 KB