WIRES:

Landcare Research's Amazing April

Wednesday, 7 April 2004, 11:04 am
Press Release: Landcare Research

Landcare Research has multiple upcoming events in April. You will be hearing a good deal from us! Here are some dates for your diary:

• Friday, April 9 * Monday, April 12: Bugs, bacteria and fungi on the move Priceless collections comprising millions of invertebrates and thousands of fungi and bacteria will be (carefully!) transported from their current home at Mt Albert in Auckland to our new state-of-the-art 'green' building at Tamaki, ahead of its official opening.

• Monday April 26: Official Opening: The New Zealand Centre for Ecological Economics (NZCEE)The NZCEE in Palmerston North will be staffed by Landcare Research and Massey University scientists and funded by FRST (the Government science funding agency). Researchers will focus on ways to protect the environment while still allowing the economy to prosper.Research, Science and Technology Minister Pete Hodgson will officially open the centre.

• Thursday April 29: Official Opening: Landcare Research's sustainable building, Auckland University Tamaki CampusOur unique new energy-efficient building will house about 90 staff from both Landcare Research and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Construction costs are about the same as a conventional building, but projected energy operating costs are up to 70% less. The design also minimises use of municipal water, stormwater and sewage systems. Prime Minister Helen Clark will officially open our new building.

• Friday April 30: BioBlitz * Finding Nature in the CityFor 24 hours from 3pm Friday, a multi-disciplinary team of scientists will scour the forests of Auckland's Dingle Dell Reserve, St Heliers and the bush gully and grounds of Meadowbank Primary School. They will record every species they can find, dead or alive; from plants to fungi to fish to animals, and keep a running tally. Their base camp: a marquee on Vellenoweth Green, complete with computers, microscopes and displays, and open to the public. Their aim: to raise awareness of science, and reveal the diverse natural world that exists under city dwellers' noses. The 'bug man' Ruud Kleinpaste will lend a hand.

ENDS

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