August 4, 2010 Safe Travels!

Our class left this evening for the long flights home.  May the journey be safe and not too tiring!

Wednesday, August 4th, 2010 - The Journey Home and Beyond

Kia Ora.  Having been emersed in Kiwi and Maori culture for the past five weeks will make the journey back to American culture another adventure.  Our students will take with them lasting memories of the challenges and opportunities of what not only New Zealand faces, but what the rest of the world faces as well.  Preserving biological diversity, conserving resources, and maintaining a balance between natural and human built environments are key to a sustainable future.  And, it will take all of us with our diverse backgrounds to come together in many different ways to help make lasting change for a bright future.  


Dear students, we hope that what you have experienced with us in New Zealand will help shape the decisions you make for our future in exciting and positive ways.  We thank you for giving of yourselves openly with your hearts and minds so that our time together could be such a special learning opportunity for us all.  We have really loved being with all of you, touring the wop-wops, and sharing a daily cuppa. Sweet As!

From the land of the long white cloud, safe and happy travels!  See you in the land of the flowers (La Florida).  With a special Hongi and hug to each of you, m&m

July 31st Washpen Falls- Meurky Walk

The group at the top of Washpen Falls - a bit windy!

Today we took a hike at Washpen Falls in Canterbury.  Washpen Falls got its name indirectly from sheep.  European farmers thought that their wool would sell better in England if it was washed.  Therefore, before the sheep were shorn, the sheep got a bath in the creek.  Pens were built in the creek and voila – Washpen Creek!   The hike is on a farmer’s property that not only includes a working farm, but a beautiful gorge that is covered in both native and exotic vegetation.  It was a bit blustery this day with a norwester blowin’ but we donned on our gear and headed up the track.  Lots of Bellbirds were singing around us as we hiked up the trail. 

The gorge was once used by the Maori to trap and kill the giant moa.  They would herd these giant, flightless birds into the gorge and killed them with spears.  Along the trail were several large lava boulders that were blown from volcanic activity 89 million years ago.  Also along the way, we saw several white circles painted on the canyon walls by the late Tom Stone.  These targets were used by the home guard for training during World War II.

Our intrepid scientist, Dr. Colin Meurk, identified a number of different plant species along the trail.  One of these plants were beech trees (genus Sophora), which are endemic to New Zealand.  The trees we passed where covered with a black velvety fungus called Sooty Mould.  In the Sooty Mould there were hundreds of hairlike projections, each with a drop of liquid on the end.  This liquid is sweet honeydew, which is a mixture of sugars excreted by small, scale insects (Homoptera) that feed on the sap from the trees. .  All of us tried a little of this liquid – good even with the knowledge it is the excrement of a small insect! Honeydew feeds a number of different species including bellbirds, lizards, tuis, and bees.  Bees use this liquid to make a unique honey called Honeydew honey.

Washpen Falls

Irina licking some honeydew off of a beech tree.

Kristin giving here best troll face.

Temple Basin trip-July29th and 30th

Thursday morning we met up in front of the dorms, gathered in the gator waka, and headed out once again towards Arthur’s Pass National Park. Our destination this time was to Temple Basin, a ski lodge in the Southern Alps. On the way, had tea time at the ever popular café in Arthur’s pass, where curious Keas are easily spotted. Soon after we made it to the area where we began our strenuous hike straight up the mountain side and to the lodge. The hike was tough, and making it to the top was a great accomplishment. It was worth the effort though, the view of the mountains around us were breathtaking. 

Temple Basin

Once there, we settled in and signed up for our ski gear. A few of us had never skied before, some had experience and the rest were able to snowboard. It was a bit of a challenge for those who couldn’t ski but all in all everyone had an exciting day. Afterwards, we went in for dinner and hung out in the main hall playing ping pong and cards. 

Friday morning we were up and ready to hit the slopes once more. While the others went to the other side of the mountain to ski, Kristin, Dania, and I decided we would take skiing lessons. Our instructor was a really cool Kiwi named Alex. He was very patient and encouraging. He made skiing much more enjoyable for us three Floridians. We all became very confident in how to side step in the skis, how to slide down slopes, and how to direct ourselves. 

After a morning of fun skiing, we all went inside for lunch before it was time for us to leave the lodge.  We gathered up our things and headed down the mountain, trying very hard not to slip on the icy ground. In the end, we all had a great time staying a night in the Southern Alps, and once again had an amazing adventure in the land of the long white cloud. 

-Julianna

Banks Peninsula Conservation

Today we met Pam Richardson, a landowner in Pigeon Harbour (Banks Peninsula). She is living proof that the community can make a lot of change when it does its share. She has many hectares of land on which she grows crops and raises sheep and cattle. What she also does on this land, which seems to be a rare contribution so far among landowners in that area but a very admirable one, is populate the hills with native plants. The pastures across the harbor and most that I have seen here in New Zealand are either infested with gorse or completely bare with no plant life but grass. Pam and her family have planted natives all over the hills and they are taking really nicely to the land. The shrubs and trees provide shade for the grazers and shelter from the wind as well as restoring the biodiversity back to New Zealand. Pam is part of the Conservation program and takes part in many discussions about different plans for Banks Peninsula. There are only fifty people living in that region which is why it is so important for the landowners to all share their ideas with each other and spread knowledge. The hope is that as more people hear this method of conservation and see it implemented, they will follow along. It was really cool to see the sheep ultrasound images when they were checking to see if they were pregnant with one or two. We also got to see a mussel farm there and they showed us the different kinds of wool, and the picture included is of a Keruru, or New Zealand Wood Pigeon. Later in the day we went to Birdling's Flat and saw sand dunes; the beach is so beautiful.
Katie Black

Free weekend July 23rd-25th

 Mitre Point at Milford Sound

View of Queenstown from the gondola

Woke up extra early on Friday along with Seth, Ashley, Kirstin and Dania at around 6am. It was worth it though because we had to catch an early morning flight into Queenstown from Christchurch. After a very generous ride from Meryl, we got on the plane and about 45 minutes later we were in Queenstown. We spent the day walking around the shops and checking into our hostel. Queenstown was very unique. I loved how everyone walked around either carrying a snowboard or skis, making it an ideal skiing town. While Dania set out to try her hand at rock climbing, the others and I took the Queenstown gondola up a mountain to where we had tea time in a café.  Seth, Ashley and I tried out luging which was so much fun. That night we ate at the famous burger restaurant, Fergburger, and it was the best burgers we've all ever had.

Riding in the gondola

The next day, Saturday, had to get up extra early again in order to get on the coach ride to Milford Sound. It took a good while to get to Fiordland national park from Queenstown, but the scenery on the way was amazing. On the way we made one stop at Lake Te Anau, New Zealand's second largest lake, to have tea time. Driving through the national park was breathtaking and the tour bus made a few stops so we could capture some photos of the natural landscape made up of beech forest and snow-covered mountains.

Lake Te Anu

Fiordland National Park, largest national park in New Zealand.

When we made it to Milford sound, we hopped on a cruise that took us out in-between the mountains. It was definitely one of the most spectacular things I’ve seen. At one point we were directly under a waterfall. It’s so fascinating to think that that region was once a valley covered by a glacier. Sunday was our flight back into Christchurch and we basically just spent the afternoon relaxing from a wonderful free weekend. 

  

Cheers! -Julianna

July 20 - Kaikoura Day 2

After breakfast we headed off for another full day of activities.  Half of us went whale watching under beautiful clear skies and calm waters, 

while the other half set out to see more seals and learn about the Hutton's shearwater project where a predator-free colony is being established to help ensure survival of this bird species that has only two breeding locations left in all of New Zealand.  

We all met up at lunchtime to share experiences and explore the town of Kaikoura before heading back to Lincoln.

July 19 - Kaikoura Day 1

Today we traveled three hours north along the east coast to Kaikoura. After lunch we watched seals at the Ohau seal colony and their babies in a secluded waterfall just 10 minutes inland.  The New Zealand Fur Seals are a protected species.  Seeing them so close was magical.

In the mid-afternoon, Kira lead our party onto the Takahanga Marae for a Maori Welcoming Ceremony.  We listened to the beautiful spoken word of the Maori language as our host acknowledged the natural and human world and welcomed us in this sacred ceremony to their marae.  We sang "Boys of Old Florida" as part of our required response in song of the ceremony...not in four part harmony, but not too bad.  Once inside, we learned the history and story of the iwi of this particular marae through the ornately decorated walls, prepared our sleeping area, and partook in a delicious meal.

Sunday, July 18 - Quail Island

We took the ferry from Lyttelton Harbor to Quail Island to take part in a work day.  We certainly eared our tea as we helped relocate silver tussock from areas where it would not grow well (under forested areas) to hilltops where it will thrive.  It was hard work carrying the transplants uphill, but rewarding to know that our efforts will help with native plant restoration efforts on the island as it continues to transform in the years to come.

Saturday, July 17 - Graham's Farm, Christchurch Natural History and Art Museums, Botanical Garden

In the morning we visited a non-so typical NZ farm.  Graham's farm of fruit trees sports all the latest high-tech, energy-wise gadgets from the U.S.A. - solar panels that power his home, led lighting, a windmill, Stirling Engine fan on the wood stove in the kitchen, etc. He even collects rainwater for all his home water use (i.e., drinking, flushing toilet, and showering).  We enjoyed our lesson that there is much we can all be doing in our own country to be oil independent and low impact on our environment.  We also really enjoyed feeding Jr who was born just a week earlier, and having tea with Graham and his wife, Karen.  Special thanks to both for their warm hospitality and for Karen's yummy baked goods.

In the afternoon, we explored the Christchurch Natural History and Art Museums and then toured the NZ native plants and urban native planting demonstration gardens at the Botanical Gardens with Colin.

July 13 to 15 - Banks Peninsula/Akaroa/Hinewa

Overview map of the Banks Peninsula with Hinewai Reserve circled.

Just 20 years ago, this area was farmland with only 4% old-growth native trees.  Today, Tui have been reintroduced into this 1,250 hectare reserve and native vegetation is thriving.

Looking down on into Akaroa Harbor from atop the Banks Peninsula.

Loaded down with tons of food from the Lincoln Uni lunch ladies, we headed out to the Banks Peninsula for our three day field trip to Hinewai Reserve.  Again, we were thankful for beautiful weather. Stops along the way on day one included Lake Ellesmere to see black swans; 

Little River to take in some local NZ artists and have morning tea; 

lunch at the  Onawe Flat atop lava rocks and exploration of the sea life there; 

and snooping around in a few of the shops in the French settlement of Akaroa. In the mid-afternoon, we headed over to Hinewai Reserve to get settled in - set up our bunks, learn about the pee and poo loos, start the wood stove to keep us warm, and prepare dinner.  That night, we had bed time stories from botanist and author, Hugh Wilson, and hunted snipe.

Wednesday was spent hiking the reserve. Everyone completed the 4.5 hour top to bottom trek past the old totara, and through upland beech forest, riparian habitat with tree ferns along creeks, and kanuka/podicarp forest to the beach where we had lunch, looked for paua shells and watched reintroduced tuis in awe.  Five of us braved the two hour trek back up the bank while the rest of us drove back to the lodge at Hinewai.

Thursday started cold, wet and windy with low clouds hugging the mountain and limiting visibility.  

The best laid plans to take the scenic drive around the crater rim of the extinct volcano which formed the banks peninsula were not a total loss as there was some clearing as the day wore on.  We did go down to Okains Bay to explore the Maori and Colonial Museum, then the beach where an old cheese making factory used to be until a tidal wave flooded the valley in 1863.  

We stopped again in Litter River for afternoon tea before ending the day with a beautiful sunset at Birdlings Flat where we looked through beautiful sea-polished rocks along the shore.