Mini BioBlitz at the Mahoe Reserve

Sunday 27 April, 2025 @ 2:00 pm 4:00 pm

Free

Event description

🦋 Join our exciting search for various species in the Mahoe Native Reserve in Lincoln.  You’ll be on the hunt for anything that flies, grows, crawls and hides!  

As part of the City Nature Challenge Ōtautahi, we are running another Mini BioBlitz.  We welcome nature enthusiasts of all ages to this free event at which you will identify species found in the reserve and upload your observations to iNaturalist.NZ.  The challenge takes place globally as people all over the world look to see the diversity of life in our local areas.   We encourage you to download the iNaturalist app onto your mobile device and then you can use it to upload photos of organisms at the event.

We are very grateful to the people who have already volunteered to help you with identifying species and using the iNaturalist app to report all our findings. There will also be people showing us how we can examine the health of our water and our soil, two very important issues for our natural environment.

This free event was very successful last year, and we look forward to another enjoyable afternoon. 

Contact Mahoe Reserve

03 4230445

Mahoe Reserve (opposite the high school main entrance)

34 Boundary Road
Lincoln, 7608 New Zealand
+ Google Map

Selwyn Trap Library (April)

Saturday 26 April, 2025 @ 10:00 am 12:00 pm

Free

Come and see us for trapping advice and free trap hire.

The trap library will lend you the right type of predator control device to remove problematic pests like rats, hedgehogs, possums and stoats. We can also advise you on bait and the best location for your trap. 

The aim is to remove these predators so the birds and plants can flourish.

The Selwyn Trap Library is usually open on the last Saturday of every month at the Lincoln Farmers & Craft Market.

Registration is not required, just come along.

Contact Selwyn Trap Library

03 423 0445

Lincoln Farmers & Craft Market (located behind Lincoln Library)

22 Gerald Street
Lincoln, 7608 New Zealand
+ Google Map

Discover Timebanking

A Community Skills Exchange and Social Group

Thursday 10 April, 2025 @ 10:00 am 11:15 am

Free

Timebank Morning Tea: Connect, Share, Belong

Come and join us as we introduce the concept of Timebanking. Whether you’re a returning member or new to the idea, this event is designed to reconnect us with the power of community, reciprocity, and mutual support.

In a world where time often feels scarce, Timebanking reminds us that our time and skills are valuable and that we all have something to offer. Through Timebanking, every hour is worth the same, regardless of the task—whether you’re helping with childcare, offering a ride, or sharing a special skill. It’s about building a stronger, more connected community where we all contribute and benefit equally. It is also about finding time to join like minded people and enjoy some social time together whether it be coffee mornings or visits to places of interest.

Join us for a relaxed morning tea where you can learn how Timebanking works, hear from members about their experiences, and explore how to get involved. This free simple yet powerful system is already making a difference in our local community – and we’d love for you to be part of it. 

We’re excited to see what we can accomplish together by sharing our time and talents.

All are welcome!

Please register so we know how much morning tea to bring 😊 

Selwyn Timebank

03 423 0456

View Organizer Website

Rolleston Community Centre

94 Rolleston Drive
Rolleston, 7614 New Zealand
+ Google Map

April Working Bee at the Mahoe Native Reserve, Lincoln

Sunday 6 April, 2025 @ 2:00 pm 4:00 pm

Free

Come along and help us in the restoration and maintenance of the Mahoe Native Reserve in Lincoln from 2 pm onwards. Entry to the Reserve is on Boundary Road, Lincoln (opposite the High School). 

Mahoe Reserve (opposite the high school main entrance)

34 Boundary Road
Lincoln, 7608 New Zealand
+ Google Map

Send us an email if you would like to be notified of future working bees or for further information. Future working bees will also be advertised here.

Contact Mahoe Reserve

03 4230445

Selwyn Trap Library (March)

Saturday 29 March, 2025 @ 10:00 am 12:00 pm

Free

Come and see us for trapping advice and free trap hire.

The trap library will lend you the right type of predator control device to remove problematic pests like rats, hedgehogs, possums and stoats. We can also advise you on bait and the best location for your trap. 

The aim is to remove these predators so the birds and plants can flourish.

The Selwyn Trap Library is usually open on the last Saturday of every month at the Lincoln Farmers & Craft Market.

Registration is not required, just come along.

Contact Selwyn Trap Library

03 423 0445

Lincoln Farmers & Craft Market (located behind Lincoln Library)

22 Gerald Street
Lincoln, 7608 New Zealand
+ Google Map

Powering Our Future – Kim Hill Hot Topic

Thursday 27 March, 2025 @ 6:30 pm 9:00 pm

$5 KOHA cash at the door

Event description

Join us for another thought-provoking “Hot Topic” discussion with Kim Hill!

This year’s topic: “Powering Our Future – Our Social and Environmental Responsibility” Kim Hill will lead a panel of experts to delve into the issues. Once the panel has deliberated their views, the audience will be invited to question panel members.

The evening is always a well-attended stimulating and enjoyable occasion; all are welcome.

Panellists:

Wim de Koning

Co-Director of Lincoln University’s Centre of Excellence in Transformative Agribusiness

Dr. Wim de Koning is a passionate creator of sustainable added value in the Agri-Food Industry space. Having extensive global experience in sales & marketing, he understands from first-hand experience what is required to be part of a global sustainable value chain.

Claudia Schneider

Environmental Psychologist, University of Canterbury

Dr Claudia Schneider is a Lecturer in Environmental Psychology at the University of Canterbury and lead of the University of Canterbury Environmental Psychology Research Group. Her research explores factors that shape and motivate prosocial behaviour in the context of large-scale global social issues, such as climate change mitigation.

Pip Newland

Sustainability and Risk, Orion Ltd.

Pip is Head of Risk, Insights and Sustainability at Orion New Zealand, the lines company for Central Canterbury. The team provide support to help Orion Group explore and plan for an uncertain future.

Nathan Surendran

Energy Consultant, Schema Consulting Ltd.

Nathan Surendran is passionate about educating others on energy literacy and advocates for evidence-based policies that support a transition to a more sustainable and resilient future.

Event Details:

Thursday 27th March.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the event starts at 7:30 p.m.

The discussion will be held in the Stewart Building at Lincoln University. 

$5 koha on the door.

Refreshments and nibbles are provided with beverages available from a cash bar.

Booking is not required. 

Ngā mihi maioha, a big thank you to our wonderful sponsors!

We extend our sincere appreciation to all our sponsors Rata Foundation, Selwyn District Council, COGS, Lottery Community, Lincoln University, Orion, New Zealand Geothermal Association, Resycl Ltd., Meridian, University of Canterbury, Air New Zealand, Plant & Food Research, AgResearch, Schema and Without Waste. 

Contact Lincoln Envirotown Trust

+64 3 423 0445

Lincoln University

Ellesmere Junction Road/Springs Road
Lincoln, 7647 New Zealand
+ Google Map

Earth Hour

Saturday 22 March, 2025 @ 3:30 pm 9:30 pm

Candle Making Workshop | 3.30 pm – 5 pm | $20

Various Earth & Family Friendly Activities | 6.30 pm – 9.30 pm | FREE

Join us in the courtyard of The Laboratory, Lincoln, the lights will be turned off and we’ll have earth-friendly activities on offer starting with a candle-making workshop and finishing with Earth Hour.



Earth Hour Candle Creations
A hands-on candle-making workshop with Aroma Layne

Unwind and Get Creative at The Laboratory, Lincoln.

Saturday, March 22nd  |  3:30 PM – 5 PM   | Only $20 per person

What you’ll Create:
🕯️ Craft your own unique 100ml travel candle – perfect for holidays!
💡 Learn professional candle-making techniques
🥂 Enjoy drinks & nibbles available for purchase

This workshop is the perfect way to pause, create, and light up Earth Hour 🌿

Tickets Required – Limited spaces 

Please note: Candles will need time to set  –  collection will be arranged after the event.  Suitable for ages 10 and above.  A caregiver or parent must accompany children 15 or under.


Samsara Documentary Screening

6:30 PM – 8:30 PM | Apollo Cinema @ The Laboratory | FREE
Experience breathtaking visuals of our planet captured over a year, showcasing humanity’s relationship with Earth—good and bad. With no plot, feel free to watch some or all of this documentary.


Earth Hour Lantern Walk

7:15 PM – 8:15 PM | Meeting Point: The Laboratory Lincoln | FREE
Bring your own eco-friendly lantern or torch and join us for a walk around Lincoln along the Liffey River tracks, sunset is at 7.29 pm. Please wear appropriate footwear and clothing.


Earth Hour 

8:30 PM – 9:30 PM | The Courtyard @ The Laboratory | FREE
As the lights go out, we’ll have activities on offer like playing cards, old school letter writing, storytelling, board games or anything you would like to contribute, to remind people that the best kind of fun and connection can be had without electricity.


Attendees can purchase their own food and beverages from The Laboratory throughout the event. You can attend as many or as little of the above events as you want.  To find out more you can check out the official Earth Hour website here.

Contact Lincoln Envirotown Trust

+64 3 423 0445

The Laboratory

17 West Belt
Lincoln, 7608 New Zealand
+ Google Map

Backyard Biodiversity

Saturday 22 March, 2025 @ 10:30 am 11:30 am

Free Gold coin donation appreciated.

Presented by Mike Bowie, this family event will show you how to attract native birds, lizards and insects to your garden.

Challenge Mike by bringing along an invertebrate (insect, bug etc.) you have found in your garden for him to identify.

Mike will demonstrate how to increase the native biodiversity in your garden, section or farm through the use of specific plants, planting designs and refugia. He will also outline ideas for projects that children could undertake or assist with.

Now retired, Mike was an entomologist at Lincoln University for over 30 years. He worked on many ecological restoration projects including Quail Island, Mahoe Reserve and Te Ara Kakariki (Greenway Canterbury Trust). He has written many publications in the fields of entomology and ecological restoration, including co-authoring “Backyard Biodiversity in Canterbury”. 

Contact Lincoln Community Gardens

021 074 3905

Lincoln Envirotown Community Gardens. The gardens are located behind the maternity hospital, please park on the street.

35 James Street
Lincoln, 7608 New Zealand
+ Google Map

Selwyn Trap Library (February)

Saturday 22 February, 2025 @ 10:00 am 12:00 pm

Free

Come and see us for trapping advice and free trap hire.

The trap library will lend you the right type of predator control device to remove problematic pests like rats, hedgehogs, possums and stoats. We can also advise you on bait and the best location for your trap. 

The aim is to remove these predators so the birds and plants can flourish.

The Selwyn Trap Library is usually open on the last Saturday of every month at the Lincoln Farmers & Craft Market.

Registration is not required, just come along.

Contact Selwyn Trap Library

03 423 0445

Lincoln Farmers & Craft Market (located behind Lincoln Library)

22 Gerald Street
Lincoln, 7608 New Zealand
+ Google Map

Green Fingers Galore

Saturday 22 February, 2025 @ 9:00 am 5:00 pm

Free (participants provide their own gardening materials)

Celebrating Selwyns’ Vegetable Gardens

This event focuses on sharing knowledge, celebrating success, and promoting sustainable home food production in Selwyn.  This is not a competition with the emphasis on participation. Every garden tells a story, and we want to hear yours!  During our garden visits, we’ll meet with you to learn about your techniques, challenges, and successes.

Event Details

  • Register: Send an email to Ruth ruth.wood@xtra.co.nz, or call 021 074 3905. She will provide you with detailed assessment criteria. Deadline to register 1st February.
  • Location: Lincoln & Rolleston area
  • Cost: Free entry (participants provide their own gardening materials)
  • Garden Visits: Saturday 22nd February 2025

What We’re Looking For

  • Home vegetable gardens of any size
  • Integrated gardens combining vegetables with flowers, shrubs, or fruit trees
  • Sustainable growing practices
  • Creative gardening solutions

Contact Lincoln Community Gardens

021 074 3905