FMC Newsletter July 2022

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Ivory Lake outlet, currently on stewardship land. Photo (c) Jason Blair, West Coast Alpine Club.

FMC's submission on western South Island stewardship land reclassification

FMC has written a two-part submission on reclassification recommendations for stewardship land on the West Coast. The first part addresses high-level aspects of the project. The second focusses on the reclassification recommendations made by national and mana whenua panels.

FMC stands by its long-standing request for reclassification of stewardship land; the task needs to be completed to ensure the whenua’s values are understood and managed appropriately.

However, doing it well is essential. Process integrity, recommendation appropriateness, democratic participation, and likely stability of outcomes are essential. FMC has several concerns in these areas.

Our concerns are not limited to the Western South Island work. This region is first in the national reclassification programme and has a precedent-establishing role.

Read more on our website

Descending above Black Lake. Photo (c) Sharon Jackson. Expedition supported by a 2021 FMC Youth Expedition Scholarship.

2022 FMC Expedition Scholarship and Training Grant applications are open

FMC is proud to offer youth expedition scholarships for the 12th year running, and the Simon Bell Memorial scholarship for the seventh consecutive year.

For information on how to apply, and to check your eligibility criteria, see the FMC website.

A poster to promote the scholarships can also be downloaded from our website.

We are also offering training grants for the third year running, to support FMC clubs by making training opportunities more accessible. More information here.

Applications for both expedition scholarships and training grants close by the end of the day on Thursday 15 September 2022.

For any queries, e-mail our executive officer at eo@fmc.org.nz.

Paparoa Track. Photo (c) Sharon Brophy, Christchurch Tramping Club

FMC Photo Competition 2022

Remember to get your club competition going this year! A perfect thing to do on a club night during the long cold winter evenings...

If you haven't run a competition before, there is still time to give it a try and we have put together resources to help you run your club's photo competition.

The winning images of a club's competition are eligible to be entered by the club into the FMC competition. FMC individual supporters can also enter and are pre-judged by FMC with the top shots gaining entry to the overall competition.

Information on how to enter is on our website. This page also includes tips on how to run a photo competition for your club, both in person and online.

Entries close on 1 September 2022 for individual supporters and 15 September 2022 for clubs. If you have any questions, please contact photocomp@fmc.org.nz.

Looking down on Hawēa Conservation Park from Mt Gladwish. Photo (c) Myrthe Braam

FMC's submission on Conservation Management and Processes proposals

FMC has written a detailed submission on the Department of Conservation’s Conservation Management and Processes discussion document.

The discussion document presents three proposals whose stated aims are to make the legislation more workable and help the concessions management systems keep pace with societal and technological changes.

FMC’s submission can be summarised as follows:

Amendment of a significant part of a legislative suite has intrinsic risks. The narrow focus on the immediate task can allow insufficient attention to be paid to the complete statutory picture, and for troubleshooting to be sub-optimal.

Indeed, the commissioning Minister of Conservation at the time of commissioning noted her general opposition to “piecemeal reform”.

It is not only that the work’s problem identification is flawed and that many proposed legislative changes could have sub-optimal outcomes; the overall relevant legislative intent is imperfectly represented, thereby undermining the work and public faith in it.

Federated Mountain Clubs therefore suggests that the Conservation Management and Processes work be reviewed.

Read more on our website

Concession application by Precision Helicopters Hokitika Ltd

In March 2022, DOC advised FMC that a decision had been made on the concession application 81956-AIR (Concession) from Precision Helicopters Limited (Precision).

We understand that Precision has since applied to DOC to reconsider the conditions of the Concession. FMC's view is that the availability of a reconsideration in the particular circumstances is doubtful.

We have twice tried to clarify the situation with DOC, but they have not responded to date.

Auckland University Field Club centenary reunion

Established in 1922 by members of the University’s Natural Sciences departments, the Auckland University Field Club (AUFC) was, until 1992, a hub for science students and those who enjoyed the outdoors – along with the camaraderie and strong friendships formed on field trips and regular lunchtime gatherings.

Planning is now well underway for a Field Club Centennial Reunion, which will be held on the weekend of Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 October 2022 and includes a major event at the University’s science building on Symonds Street, decade-by-decade social functions and a field trip. A committee led by Bruce Hayward (Student Chair 1972) has been set up to plan the event and contact tracing to date (not COVID related!) has revealed close to 150 people keen to attend, while there remain at least 100 more who have yet to be contacted.

The opening of the reunion weekend on Saturday 1 October will be held in the University Science Faculty, hosted by the Dean of Science, and will include entertaining talks and reminiscences, displays of images of past events, finger-food lunch, and tours.

FMC Stickers

The FMC stickers we produced last year proved popular, so we are sending you another one this year. We hope these will be a reminder of our work to our members and a conversation starter with those who don't yet know about us.

Once again the stickers will be printed on 'Rocktak', which is made from calcium carbonate waste from the building industry, and they come with a backing paper of 'Kraft liner' which is also recyclable.

Keep a lookout in your August issue of Backcountry for your sticker.

Donate to the Mountain & Forest Trust

To support activities such as research, projects related to outdoor recreation, legal work, books, and more.

Maerewhenua Trust

FMC is grateful for the continued significant support from the Maerewhenua Trust. The contributions allow FMC to have a much wider reach and impact, and FMC's volunteers to focus on the core purposes of the organization.

FMC Supporter Card

Make the most of your FMC Supporter Card for savings on travel and touring, outdoor gear, magazines and digital accounts.

Wilderlife: Paddling the Albert Burn

Three mates enjoy a wonderful day out, exploring a beckoning gorge amongst the incomparable Otago Alps. No helicopters needed for these guys, as they commit to a walk-in mission on the lower gorge of the Albert Burn, Lake Wānaka, Aotearoa New Zealand.

“We must closely guard the welfare of our National Parks and Reserves. These should not be regarded as the property of our minister or the government. They belong to the people of today and tomorrow. We must fight for their protection if necessary.” Fred Vosseler – Inaugural FMC President (1932)

Editor: Danilo Hegg. Feedback welcome to eo@fmc.org.nz

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Federated Mountain Clubs
PO Box 1604
Wellington, 6140
New Zealand

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