Monster hunting for winter lecture
Ad sponsored by Monster hunting along with environmental DNA for biodiversity and biosecurity are the opening topics on the list for Neil Gemmell, who will open Nga¯ Manu Nature Reserve’s winter lecture series on the first of May.
Professor Gemmell from the University of Otago is the Royal Society of New Zealand Te A¯ parangi sponsored speaker for the series and will share how environmental DNA, or eDNA, is a smorgasbord of organic materials left behind by living things as they pass through their environment.
He will give insight into recent studies which have shown the potential of eDNA to detect rare, highly mobile, marine organisms, useful for fisheries, conservation, biosecurity, and the occasional monster hunt.
Next up on May 29, Lara Shepherd from Te Papa will present a lecture titled
When Ma¯ ori arrived in New Zealand many of the plant species, they brought with them were not suited to New Zealand’s climate.
Instead they began to cultivate a number of native New Zealand plants they found and some of these they moved around New Zealand as part of their cultivation.
Lara will share how she is using to DNA to trace the origins and movements of some of these plants.
June 12 will host Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research’s Geoff Ridley who will look at Fungi in Ka¯ piti and Wellington.
While Ka¯ piti and Wellington were the sites of some of the earliest fungal exploration, Geoff believes they have not been well explored.
His presentation will look at the habitats that occur in these areas and the different fungi associated with them.
On July 25 Deidre Vercoe and Andrew Digby from the Department of Conservation will provide an update on what happened during 2019’s ka¯ ka¯ po breeding season, the biggest on record with over 200 eggs laid by 49 females.
They will describe the ground-breaking conservation technology and management methods which are used to protect this unique and charismatic parrot.
August 7 brings Phil Lester to Nga Manu from Victoria University of Wellington to present a lecture titled
Over the last century Common and German wasps invaded and established colonies throughout the country.
In honeydew beech forest wasps reach the highest densities known in the world.
What is the potential of new gene editing technologies for wasp and pest control? How safe is gene editing? How close are we to using it? And would it effectively control wasps if we did genetically modify these pests?
Hopefully Phil will have some answers for you.
To round out the series the New Zealand Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton will will talk about his role, a unique advisory role found nowhere else in the world on August 21.
Fully independent of the government of the day, the commissioner has the freedom to investigate any environmental issue they see fit.
Appointed in October 2017, Simon will talk about the role of his office and some of the work he has completed or has underway.
The series is being held at the Robin’s Nest, Nga¯ Manu, 74 Nga¯ Manu Reserve Rd, Waikanae from 3.30-5pm.
Entry is limited, call 04 2934131 to book your seats.
Entry by paper koha, includes tea and biscuits.