NEWSLETTER December 2017 Previous Issue: September 2017 ISSN 1171-9982
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NEWSLETTER December 2017 Previous issue: September 2017 ISSN 1171-9982 From the President Articles for web site The October WBS meeting gave me much hope for the future of botanical We welcome articles for research in New Zealand. We were lucky to hear talks from two of our 2016 consideration for inclusion on WBS prizewinners. Jubilee Award winner, Stacey Bryan, on behalf of Hannah our web site: Buckley, gave a fascinating talk on pīngao, which wove in aspects of genetics, www.wellingtonbotsoc.org.nz culture, conservation and ecology. Grants to Graduate Students prizewinner, Nathaniel Walker-Hale, gave a very polished presentation on the evolution of salt Please send your article to: tolerance and betalain pigments. Nathaniel was recently awarded a Woolf Fisher Richard Herbert Scholarship to continue his studies with a PhD at the University of Cambridge e-mail [email protected] in the UK. Lastly, Jane Humble gave an insightful talk into botanical art and brought along some of her own artworks for us to admire. The talks stimulated Writing for the Bulletin much discussion. I had several members tell me how much they enjoyed the Do you have a botanical observation, evening in the days afterwards. Thanks to all our speakers, and to Sunita Singh anecdote, or insight that you could for organising our meeting programme. share with others in BotSoc? If so, Lara Shepherd, President please consider contributing it to the Wellington Botanical Society New members Bulletin. There is still plenty of space We welcome the following: in the next issue. For more details and Barbara Hammonds, Tom Mayo, Sarah Wilcox, Joyce Wilson. assistance, contact Eleanor Burton at Lea Robertson, Treasurer [email protected] or 479 0497. E-mail address update If your e-mail address has changed, please advise the treasurer, Lea Robertson, [email protected], or Treasurer, Wellington Botanical Society, PO Box 10 412, Wellington 6143. The committee Meetings Wellington Botanical Society BotSoc meetings are usually held Address: PO Box 10 412, Wellington 6143 at 7.30 p.m. on the third Monday Web site: www.wellingtonbotsoc.org.nz of each month at Victoria President: Lara Shepherd 384 7147 University, W’gton – Lecture Vice-Presidents: Owen Spearpoint 562 8780 Theatre MYLT101, ground floor, 2nd position Vacant Secretary: Barbara Clark 233 8202 Murphy Building, west side of e-mail: [email protected] Kelburn Parade. Enter building Treasurer: Lea Robertson 473 8211 about 20 m down Kelburn Pde Auditor: Jane Humble 971 6970 from pedestrian overbridge. Submissions No meetings December and coordinator: Bev Abbott 475 8468 January. Bulletin editor: Eleanor Burton 479 0497 Newsletter Chris Horne 475 7025 (phone/fax) Field trips editor: e-mail: [email protected] Day trips to locations in the 28 Kaihuia St, Northland, WN 6012 Wellington region are usually Annual ordinary $35; country $30; student $10; held on the first Saturday of each subscription: joint / group / family $40. month. Send your subscription to Treasurer, WBS, Box 10 412, Wellington 6143 Extended excursions are usually or to our bank account 020536 0017812 00. held at New Year, at Easter and New subscribers: Please complete form at the back of this newsletter. the first weekend in December. DEADLINE FOR COPY FOR NEXT ISSUE – 20 April 2018 Articles may be edited for clarity and length ATTENDING FIELD TRIPS AND MEETINGS Ideas please Overnight trip gear and food We welcome your ideas about: Add to the day-trip gear, food and drink listed above: • places to visit on field trips, and potential leaders of breakfast, fresh fruit, torch, spare bulb and batteries, those field trips. candle, mug, plate, knife, fork, spoon, small towel, soap, • topics and speakers for evening meetings tooth brush. If accommodation is not provided for, bring Please send your ideas to Barbara Clark, PO Box 10 412, tent, fly, poles and pegs, groundsheet, sleeping mat, Wellington 6143, ph 233 8202. sleeping bag, sleeping-bag liner and stuff bag. Optional: matches in waterproof container, water purification tablets, Field trips—single day pocket knife, large plastic survival bag to line pack, gaiters. A field trip, usually lasting 4-5 hours, is an opportunity to Note: dinners may be ‘pot-luck’—ask the leader to suggest learn how to identify native plants and adventive plants what your contribution might be. (weeds). During the trip, experienced participants record Summer camps the species seen. After it, a new or updated plant list will be These field trips last 7–10 days. Full details will appear in produced for the site. This list will be published on the NZ the newsletter. Plant Conservation Network web site, and copies sent to trip participants, landowners and managers. Health and safety If you intend to join a field trip, PLEASE phone or The leader will bring BotSoc’s comprehensive first-aid kit, a e-mail the leader at least TWO DAYS beforehand, so that topographic map, a cell-phone, and give a health and safety he / she can tell you of any changes and / or particular briefing. requirements. If you cannot ring or e-mail in advance, you The leader will describe the route, and approximate are welcome to join on the day. If you e-mail your intention, times for lunch, tea breaks and the end of the trip. the leader will send you a copy of the draft plant list, so that Bring your own first-aid kit. If you have an allergy or you can print it out to bring with you. If you do not have a medical condition, bring your own anti-histamines and printer, tell the leader. At the meeting place, the trip leader medications, tell the leader of any problems you may have, will ask you to write on the registration form your name, and how to deal with them. e-mail address (so that you can receive the updated plant Before the trip, if you have any doubts about your ability list), and a phone number for the leader to ring your next- to keep up with the party, discuss this with the trip leader, of-kin in an emergency. who has the right to restrict attendance. What bring—clothing If you decide to leave a trip early, you must tell the Choose from the following items, according to the weather leader, and be confident that you know your way back to forecast, and your personal needs: sun hat, woollen or the start. Enter your name on the ‘register’ under a wind- polyprop beanie or balaclava, waterproof / windproof screen wiper on the leader’s car, or other agreed place, to raincoat (parka) and over-trousers, long-sleeved cotton record your safe return. shirt*, singlet*, thermal or woollen top, woollen jersey or Fitness and experience fleece jacket, nylon shorts or trousers*, polyprop long- Our field trips are mostly on established tracks, and at a johns, underclothes, thick socks, boots or walking shoes, leisurely pace, but vary considerably in the level of fitness gloves / mittens. and tramping experience required. Although our main *Note: In wet, cold weather, do not wear cotton shirts, focus is botanical, our programme sometimes offers trips singlets, t-shirts and trousers. which, in the pursuit of our botanical aims, are more What to bring—gear and food strenuous than others. Although leaders take care to Day pack with lunch, biscuits or scroggin, hot or cold minimise risks, you participate at your own risk. drink, spare clothing, personal first-aid kit, note-book, pen, pencil, cell-phone, wallet. Optional: walking pole, clip- Transport board, map or park brochure, camera, binoculars, hand- When the use of public transport is practical, details will lens, sun-block, sun-glasses, insect repellent, whistle, toilet appear in the newsletter. paper. We encourage the pooling of cars for trips. If you need a lift, tell the trip leader. Field trips—overnight Passengers: Pay your driver your share of the running Field trips usually last two days; at Easter, three days. We costs. We suggest 10c per km / passenger. If a trip uses the may be based at a camp-ground with or without cabins, or inter-island ferry, pay your share of the ferry fare. If you a rented house, or a private bach. The field trip may last 4-7 change cars mid-trip, leave a written note for your driver, hours each day. under a wind-screen wiper on her or his car, and check that your new driver adds you to her or his list. 2 Drivers: Ensure that you know the route to the start of Lecture Theatre MYLT101: the trip, and that you have a written list of your passengers. TO MEETINGS Zero the odometer at the start, and agree on a return time. No. 23 Mairangi: depart Houghton Bay 6.30 p.m., Hospital Check from your list that all your passengers are in the car. 6.42, Courtenay Place 6.49, opposite Supreme Court 7.00, Collect contributions towards transport costs. University 7.05. Trip leaders No. 23 Mairangi: depart Southgate 7.00 p.m., Hospital 7.17, Courtenay Place 7.22, opposite Supreme Draft a trip report for the newsletter, including a list of Court 7.34, University 7.39. participants, and send it to the editor. No. 22 Southgate: depart Mairangi 7.00 p.m., Other matters University 7.13. If after your first BotSoc field trip, tell the leader if you No. 17 Railway Station: depart Karori Park 6.35 p.m., think there is information newcomers would appreciate University 6.52. seeing about future trips, in the newsletter, on the web site, Cable Car at 00, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 min past each hour from or on Wellington Glean Report.