Chronicles a U.S. summer study abroad program in New Zealand.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
You Know You Are In Kiwi Land 1
Clockwise from top left: on/off switches on electrical outlets; separate hot/cold taps (hot on right some of the time, but it is not consistent); farmer's hedgerows; flax, sheep, and tussock; dual flush toilets.
New Zealand (NZ) is a biodiversity hotspot with a large number of endemic species - 1865 plants, 63 bird species, 47 skinks/geckos, 2 tuataras, 2 bats, and 4 amphibians and a large number of invertebrates, fish, and marine species.
NZ is known as “clean and green” but faces many environmental challenges to retain its unique natural heritage. Since Maori first stepped onto the land nearly 800 years ago, and after European colonization over 200 years ago, humans have dramatically impacted NZ and many remaining species are in danger of going extinct.
Not unlike many places around the world, developed urban and rural properties are situated near or in habitats that sustain native plant and animal communities. Conserving and restoring biodiversity in highly-modified environments is a struggle, and the focus of this course is to expose students to how “kiwis” have tackled this problem.
Students
*Learn about ways to conserve, manage and restore natural habitat and to promote biodiversity in urban and rural environments
*Examine the relationship among planners/policymakers, developers and the public and their roles in conserving biodiversity
*Explore the unique flora and fauna of NZ
