March

• 
  11 March 2010 Wilding Tree Control Days 2010
  Environment Canterbury has organised wilding tree control days in the high country for 2010.
• 
  11 March 2010 Canterbury sharemilker fined for effluent discharge.
  An Ashburton sharemilker, Richard Neil Spicer, has been fined a total of $12,000 after pleading guilty to two charges, discharging effluent from an irrigator onto land causing ponding and contravening an abatement notice.
• 
  10 March 2010 Day of Discovery Planned at Orari River Mouth
  Animal life of all kinds, native flora and ever-popular riverside pursuits will be celebrated at a community event at the Orari River mouth on Saturday, March 27.
• 
  3 March 2010 Protect voting rights, improve water management performance
  In the wake of the Government review of Environment Canterbury’s functions, councillors have proposed a split governance system to protect people’s right to vote and also lift the council’s water management performance.
• 
  3 March 2010 Have your say about the future of public transport
  A review of the Metro Strategy has just begun with the aim of improving public transport in the Greater Christchurch area.
• 
  2 March 2010 Mid- Waitaki Valley groundwater quality survey
  Environment Canterbury in March is surveying groundwater quality in the mid-Waitaki Valley in the area between Duntroon and Otematata.
• 
  2 March 2010 Request for photographs, footage and stories from tsunami on Sunday
  The Canterbury Emergency Management Office is requesting photos, footage and stories from members of the public and media outlets regarding Sunday's tsunami.
• 
  1 March 2010 Groundwater levels below average in late summer settled weather
  Canterbury groundwater levels fell in February as a result of settled weather combined with average-to-dry conditions, according to monitoring by Environment Canterbury scientists.
• 
  1 March 2010 Media Statement - Tsunami standdown 10:00am 1 March 2010
  The Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management has downgraded a potential tsunami threat. The situation is still being monitored, however the Canterbury Emergency Coordination Centre is no longer activated.

February

• 
  28 February 2010 Media Update - Tsunami Alert 3pm 28 February 2010
  While the National Crisis Management Centre is downgrading the Tsunami alert to an advisory, restricted waterways around Banks Peninsula could still experience surges and people near the water should continue to exercise caution, Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management advises.
• 
  28 February 2010 Media Update - Tsunami Alert 12.30pm 28 February 2010
  Analysis of information being received suggests that any effect around Banks Peninsula will now be at the low end of the one to three metre prediction. Christchurch City Council Civil Defence Emergency Management and the Regional Emergency Management Office will continue monitoring and communicate with the National Crisis Management Centre. Other local authorities throughout the region will monitor the situation appropriate to the level of risk of their area.
• 
  28 February 2010 Media Advisory - Tsunami Update 9.20 am 28 February 2010
  Initial indication is that some tsunami activity is being registered in the Chatham Islands. The latest information from the Chatham Islands is that the height of the first wave is 20 centimetres above normal sea level. The impact of this is likely to be minimal. After the initial wave, the water level then dropped by a total of around a metre. Further waves are being observed, and are at a similar height, or possibly slightly higher, than the first wave.
• 
  28 February 2010 Regional Update – Tsunami Alert - 8.00am 28 February 2010
  CDEM Group Emergency Coordination Centre activated since 0100 28 February 2010. A media release has been issued outlining risk to Canterbury coast including specific advice for Banks Peninsula, and advising farmers to move stock from low lying areas. People gathering along beaches will be moved on and residents have been advised to stay away from coastal areas.
• 
  28 February 2010 Media Statement - Tsunami Update 28 February 2010
  Due to the 8.8 magnitude earthquake at Chile on Saturday night and tsunami warning from Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management, residents in low lying areas of Banks Peninsula bays are advised to be prepared to evacuate. People need to be ready to move to safety by 8.00am and may not be able to return for at least 24 hours.
• 
  26 February 2010 Environment Canterbury Council adopts for consultation funding of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy
  The Environment Canterbury Council has voted 12-2 to adopt an amendment, for consultation, to its Annual Plan to provide $3.3M in funding for the Canterbury Water Management Strategy for the 2010-11 year.
• 
  25 February 2010 Waimakariri River signage
  The tragic death of a young man at the Waimakariri River this week has led to the call for more signs warning of the river’s danger.
• 
  24 February 2010 High demand for Clean Heat as Christchurch’s new air rules approach
  The demand for Clean Heat financial assistance ahead of new air rules commencing on April 1 means waiting lists for assessments are growing. Christchurch residents who are not already prepared are advised to consider what alternatives they will use to stay warm this winter. The ban on the use of open fires and solid fuel burners 15 years or older will be in effect from April until September.
• 
  19 February 2010 Environment Canterbury to work constructively with government following report
  The Chairman of Environment Canterbury, Alec Neill, has signalled that Environment Canterbury will work constructively with the government following the release of the review group report on Environment Canterbury.
• 
  18 February 2010 Calling all Weedbusters
  Nominations for the 2010 Weedbuster Awards close on March 31. It’s now time to down tools and get nominating.
• 
  18 February 2010 Calling all South Canterbury Weedbusters
  Nominations for the 2010 Weedbuster Awards close on March 31. It’s now time to down tools and get nominating.
• 
  18 February 2010 Calling Mid Canterbury Weedbusters
  Nominations for the 2010 Weedbuster Awards close on March 31. It’s now time to down tools and get nominating.
• 
  18 February 2010 Calling Kaikoura Weedbusters
  Nominations for the 2010 Weedbuster Awards close on March 31. It’s now time to down tools and get nominating.
• 
  11 February 2010 Toxic algae: reminder to dog owners
  Following the recent incident of a dog becoming ill after ingesting algae in Walter Park in northern Christchurch, dog owners are being reminded to be vigilant around water where dark brown/black algal mats are present.
• 
  11 February 2010 Council to implement state of the environment water charging
  A new model for funding environmental investigations and monitoring water was adopted for consultation at today’s Environment Canterbury council meeting.
• 
  10 February 2010 More bike racks on Metro's longer routes
  Environment Canterbury has increased the number of buses carrying bike racks following successful trialling of the programme. The expanded service now includes 12 Metro routes in and around Christchurch involving hills or significant distances.
• 
  8 February 2010 Possum control operations on Banks Peninsula
  Possum control operations resume on Banks Peninsula in mid February; the latest phase in Environment Canterbury's organised ground control programme focusing on 11,000 hectares in the Akaroa Harbour basin.

January

• 
  29 January 2010 Phormidium inspections made by Environment Canterbury - 20-22 January 2010.
  Environment Canterbury says that despite cooler temperatures and higher river flows in most of the region, many of Canterbury's hill-fed rivers remain prone to developing potentially toxic algae. Dog owners are also advised to be vigilant around small ponds and slow-flowing waterways in both urban and rural areas as potentially toxic algal mats and scums can be harmful to dogs.
• 
  29 January 2010 More of the same: cool dry weather and easterlies: less water in rivers, groundwater levels drop
  Continued unsettled weather, with average to dry conditions, has meant that groundwater levels are continue to drop in the region, say Environment Canterbury water scientists.
• 
  28 January 2010 Upper Waitaki call-in for three dairy effluent consent applications
  
• 
  27 January 2010 The Wonders of Wainono Wetlands
  To celebrate World Wetlands Day in this International Year of Biodiversity, local people will have the chance to find out more about the Wainono lagoon near Waimate - a treasure on their doorstep. The event will be led by Environment Canterbury’s Resource Care team working with Fish & Game, the Department of Conservation and local community groups such as the Waihao Wainono Water Users Society.
• 
  26 January 2010 Media Advisory - Pollution Hotline
  Environment Canterbury's Pollution Hotline Team responded to 57 incidents during the holiday period, including large outdoor fires, sewage spills and petroleum spills. This is down from 93 site visits over last year’s holiday period.
• 
  19 January 2010 Canterbury's Environment to receive Enhancement boost
  Environment Canterbury's Environment Enhancement Fund has allocated $175,000 plus in-kind contributions to help restore the region's environment.
• 
  15 January 2010 Public asked to watch out for Chilean needle grass.
  Environment Canterbury is asking the public to be on the lookout for Chilean needle grass throughout January and February.
• 
  8 January 2010 Environment Canterbury supporting National Enviroschools hui at Living Springs this month.
  Environment Canterbury is joining with the Enviroschools Foundation in launching the Regeneration Summer Jam.
• 
  5 January 2010 Cleaner Air on the horizon for Ashburton.
  Ashburton air rules set to improve over the next winter as more people change to cleaner forms of heating in preparation for the enforcement of new air rules from May 2011.