EcoFest West 2021: Celebrating our environment

Forage and Feast: Healthy Eating Autumn

The biggest and best celebration of our stunning environment is now in full swing!  EcoFest West 2021 presents a myriad of opportunities to care for the places we love, explore nature at our doorstep, and discover skills and ideas for a better future.
 
Covering a wide range of topics, many of the 140 events are free or low-cost, whānau friendly, and accessible by public transport. Highlights include night walks in nature, guided bike rides, DIY workshops, stream clean ups and more.
 
To see full details of all EcoFest West events, which run from 20th March until 18th April, please visit www.ecofest.org.nz.
 
Here are a small selection of local events coming up in your neighbourhood this month:
 
URBAN FOOD FOREST DESIGN
Saturday 10 April, 10.30am-3pm
EcoMatters, 1 Olympic Place, New Lynn
$15
 
Food forests can play a big part in the vision for local food security. Learn about the principles of food forest design, including site, aspect, soil and plant choice considerations with landscape architect and organic gardener Carl Pickens. Then join Carl and EcoMatters community garden coordinator, Meg Liptrot for a tour of EcoMatters’ 16-year-old food forest. After a shared lunch, get together for a collaborative design charrette helping develop a new concept for a food forest at Olympic Park. Hosted by EcoMatters and supported by the Whau Low Carbon Network, thanks to Whau Local Board and Auckland Council.
Booking required: Search “Urban food forest tour” at www.eventbrite.co.nz  
 
FAMILY DAY
Sunday 11 April, 10am-3pm
West Lynn Garden, 73 Parker Avenue, New Lynn
$3, under 2 years free
 
Come and take part in the Tree Trail and Butterfly Hunt. Information sessions start on the hour in the Butterfly House, set in 2.5 hectares of beautiful gardens. Fun activities for children. Bring a picnic.
 
Tree Trail (including 50 protected trees) and Butterfly Hunt to link trees and butterflies. Activities for children include butterfly hunt, making origami butterflies, pavement chalk art. Butterfly colouring and activity packs for sale. Sausage sizzle, drinks and plants also for sale. Brought to you by West Lynn Garden.
 
For more information, visit www.westlynngarden.org.nz or www.facebook.com/WestLynnGardens.
 
BASIC BIKE MAINTENANCE WORKSHOP
Wednesday 14 April, 7-9pm
New Lynn Bike Hub, 1 Olympic Place, New Lynn
Free
 
A two-hour workshop covering basic bike maintenance, including an overview of parts of a bike, inflating tyres, puncture repair, chain lube, as well as brake/gear checks and tuning. Brought to you by EcoMatters. For more information, visit www.ecomatters.org.nz/on-bikes/bike-hubs. 
Booking required: brent@ecomatters.org.nz
 
 
FORAGE AND FEAST: HEALTHY EATING AUTUMN
Saturday 17 April, 2-5pm
EcoMatters, 1 Olympic Place, New Lynn
$20
 
Join naturopath Paloma Velásquez for health-boosting ideas using seasonal produce (including weeds!) to make a memorable plant-based feast. In this workshop you’ll go foraging in EcoMatters’ organic garden and then get together for a shared meal. Hosted by EcoMatters and supported by the Whau Low Carbon Network, thanks to Whau Local Board and Auckland Council. For more information, visit www.ecomatters.org.nz/campaign/love-your-food.
Booking required: Search “Forest and Feast” at www.eventbrite.co.nz  
 
NATURE JOURNALING
Sunday 18 April, 10am-12pm
Olympic Park playground, Wolverton Street, New Lynn
Adults $10, Child 5-12yrs $5
 
Nature journaling is sketching or writing your response to nature. This fun and relaxing practice helps you connect more closely with plants, trees, birds and other natural things. Bring a sketchbook, pencils, crayons, watercolours. Some paper and crayons provided. Brought to you by Lesley Alexander Art. For more information, visit www.lesleyalexanderart.com.
Booking required: contact@lesleyalexanderart.com.
 
 
EcoFest West is brought to you by EcoMatters Environment Trust, with events hosted by a range of organisations, and is generously supported by the Henderson-Massey, Waitākere Ranges, and Whau local boards.