Calling all environmental champions
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
The lookout is on for Waimakariri’s environmental champions.
Waimakariri Zone Committee chairperson Carolyne Latham is encouraging people to get their nominations in for the Waimakariri Environmental Awards.
The awards were established last year and are organised in conjunction with the Waimakariri District Council’s community service awards.
‘‘Everything went quite smoothly last year so we are just trying to do the same again,’’ Latham said.
‘‘I would really encourage people to enter or make a nomination because the environmental awards help to bring into the spotlight all the good work that is going on out there, and hopefully inspire others as well.
‘‘Most don’t want or seek recognition, but are quite chuffed when they get it.’’
With two ecologists on the judging panel, entering the awards is an opportunity to get some feedback and advice on projects, she said.
The judging panel can also give suggestions for funding sources if it is required.
Last year’s winners included Noelene Francis, who runs the Silverstream Reserve planting days, Oxford Dark Sky and Cust School.
Nominations close on August 16 and there are three categories for individuals, groups and youth.
This year’s winners will receive a $750 voucher, some plants from Riverside Horticulture and a framed certificate.
The Waimakariri Zone Committee is a joint committee of the Waimakariri District Council and Environment Canterbury.
To find out more about the awards, go to: www.ecan.govt.nz....
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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⚠️ DOGS DIE IN HOT CARS. If you love them, don't leave them. ⚠️
It's a message we share time and time again, and this year, we're calling on you to help us spread that message further.
Did you know that calls to SPCA about dogs left inside hot cars made up a whopping 11% of all welfare calls last summer? This is a completely preventable issue, and one which is causing hundreds of dogs (often loved pets) to suffer.
Here are some quick facts to share with the dog owners in your life:
👉 The temperature inside a car can heat to over 50°C in less than 15 minutes.
👉 Parking in the shade and cracking windows does little to help on a warm day. Dogs rely on panting to keep cool, which they can't do in a hot car.
👉 This puts dogs at a high risk of heatstroke - a serious condition for dogs, with a mortality rate between 39%-50%.
👉 It is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act to leave a dog in a hot vehicle if they are showing signs of heat stress. You can be fined, and prosecuted.
SPCA has created downloadable resources to help you spread the message even further. Posters, a flyer, and a social media tile can be downloaded from our website here: www.spca.nz...
We encourage you to use these - and ask your local businesses to display the posters if they can. Flyers can be kept in your car and handed out as needed.
This is a community problem, and one we cannot solve alone. Help us to prevent more tragedies this summer by sharing this post.
On behalf of the animals - thank you ❤️