Green Ideas

Check out the second issue of this bi-monthly NZ magazine - it costs less than a cup of coffee and jam-packed with easy ways to live more sustainably. Definitely worth subscribing to: NZ$19.90 for 6 print issues OR $9.95 for 3 digital editions. We owe it to future generations to have less waste so grab a copy and join the revolution; their website is www.greenideas.co.nz (plus the first 400 print subscribers will receive 5 free packets of Yates seeds worth $19.95).

The February-March issue has a Buyers Guide to toilet paper and explains the various eco-labels. Purex toilet paper has both FSC and Environmental Choice NZ accreditation and is Green Ideas choice for a paper that is 100% recycled and gives the strongest assurance of forest protection. The backlash from consumers has forced Cottonsoft Ltd to revise its sourcing after rainforest material was found in their products. Great to know that we CAN make a difference with our buying habits - let's get behind those companies with a sustainability ethic.

Our long stretch of warm summer weather continues albeit with the odd cool morning (6°C) and the occasional spot of rain. I turned my large compost heap last week but need to do it more often if I want to kill all the weed seeds. It was a major job, nowhere near as easy as a similar-sized one I had in Taranaki, but good to see a number of worms and fungi in it - nature's wonder workers at breaking down organic matter.

Cruise ships come and go on every few days, the next one to visit is the Oceanic Discoverer on 13 February. The DOC Visitor Centre tends to be superbusy on cruise ship days but it doesn't really affect my job, apart from seeing more people in the Bay when I collect the mail.



24 Jan: Silver Shadow from Deep Bay

24 Jan: Silver Shadow moored in Paterson Inlet. The blue boat passing
in front of the Silver Shadow is the Ulva Island water taxi

Some of the cruises are nature-focused and their passengers are a lot more interested (and knowledgeable) in the flora and fauna of our island. Others are purely tourists and they probably wonder what on earth they've landed on - they mill around wondering what to do and where the shops are! It will be great when the proposed new museum is built as it will be a good focal point for visitors.

The NatureWatch website has me in its clutches and eating up my spare (and sleeping) time. I can indulge in my favourite pastime of identifying the weird and wonderful - I'll pop some examples up on another blog while my coffee cools!