July 13 & 14

JULY 13, 2022

The crew woke up to the familiar grey sky and rain in Greymouth today. We loaded our bags into the gatorwaka bright and early and headed to Maggie's for breakfast for the last time. After our delicious breakfast we bought some sandwiches and pies for lunch (from Maggie's) and began the drive back to Christchurch through Arthur's Pass.

The crew posing with Allen (co-owner of Maggie’s) 

The rain persisted so in an attempt to wait out the peak of it we had tea time at the local cafe and prayed to the weather gods. 

Waiting out the weather in the warmth

Luckily, our prayers were answered and together we hiked and climbed the icy steps (up 150 meters) to Devils Punchbowl Falls. The waterfall itself is 131 meters tall and well worth the cold and rainy hike! 

Look at how tall! 

Some of us are more wet than others 

After hiking back we decided to stay for an extra 30 minutes in the local town with the hopes of seeing a Kea. Unfortunately, only a few of us managed to see a brief glimpse of one but we gave it our best try! Then we piled back into the gatorwaka and continued our journey back to Christchurch. 

Our final picture in Arthur’s Pass 

As we drove the sun began to come out and rainbows appeared in the sky. We stopped briefly for lunch and admired the snow covered mountains and the rainbow. 

Can you see the rainbow? It’s in the center and in front of the mountain!

Our next stop was Castle Hill, a beautiful hill with an array of limestone boulders that sort of look reminiscent of stone castle! We even saw a pair of native New Zealand falcons in the area. 

We look so tiny in comparison to the limestone rocks

Native New Zealand falcon via Ava’s incredible camera

We were given an hour to explore the area and as you can see we had a lot of fun!

Veronica sliding in the snow

Veronica in her element 

Charisse, Veronica, and Nico atop one of the many boulders 

Ryan eating the rocks (?) but looking more like a baby bird 

Nico playing dead 

The final stop before Christchurch was Springfield. The town embraces the Simpsons reference and erected a giant donut in the heart of the city. 

Taking a bite of the donut 

A better quality photo but without me in it  

We arrived safely to Christchurch and the dorms around 5:30pm. I’m thankful to be back to Christchurch’s slightly warmer and less rainy weather. We’re all excited for what the next day brings! 

P.S.

This is Debriana’s official submission to the snowman competition 

JULY 14, 2022

We woke up to beautiful clear skies in Christchurch this morning! Our first activity of the day was to go to the Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research center and attend a lecture from Dean Anderson about the mammal pests in New Zealand. His lecture explained the troubling paradigm of having to kill animals (invasive mammals) to do conservation (for the native species). Unfortunately, 40% of New Zealand’s land bird species are extinct since human occupation began 750 years ago. But there is still hope for the remaining bird species if New Zealand is able to reduce the brush tail possum, stoat, and rat populations across the country.

Dean Anderson’s lecture 

We then learned about logic models for planning conservation projects. Logic models break down the planning of projects into inputs, outputs, and short term, medium term, and long term goals and by utilizing this model your chances of success are higher. We then split into groups to practice and outline our own initiatives we would start in Gainesville. 

My group planning to add more green spaces to campus 

The other group planning to reduce monoculture lawns 

Gregory Gator contributed by Ryan 

Felicity contributed by Veronica 

After our lectures we took advantage of the beautiful weather and headed to the Port Hills for lunch. The hike was about 40 minutes each way but the view made up for the slippery mud we encountered. 

The view from the top

Group photo at the top of the mountain
 (I’m a bit muddy haha)

After lunch we hiked back down and took a short drive over to Lyttelton. We did a bit of shopping around before settling down at Coffee Culture for tea time. 

A shop kitty I saw in the town 

Tea time! 

Ryan found some toys to play with in the corner 

At around 4pm we headed back to the dorms. There was a tunnel on the way and everyone attempted to hold their breath through it but no one succeeded (it was a very long tunnel). 

Nico enjoying the tunnel while simultaneously making the gatorwaka smell like car fumes

These past two days have been quite eventful :) We’re all super excited to do restoration tomorrow morning and then (hopefully) have time to work on our journals in the afternoon. See you tomorrow! 

Kia ora!

~ Hanna 

A day in Riccarton Bush and Downtown Christchurch

 We started off the day with a presentation from Dr. Colin Meurk (local Kiwi and expert botanist) about the natural and cultural patterns of Canterbury. The class learned about the various habitats of New Zealand and the broad bioclimatic zones which make it so unique. We also learned about the astonishing biodiversity of the area and the surprising adaptations to an ecosystem without mammals (including giant insects that can take on the role of small mammals!) The class discussed the many ways to connect people and nature, one of the most important parts of restoration projects and learned about the three thresholds of ecological restoration. 

Learning all about the ecology of Aotearoa

After the lecture, the class traveled to Riccarton Bush where we explored a predator-free forest with a guided tour by Colin. The class learned about the importance of predator-free fences to keep out introduced mammalian predators like possums, stoats, hedgehogs, and rats. Delving into the forest, we discovered ancient podocarps and saw many new plants like Rohutu, Poataniwha, Khikatea, and Mikimiki. The class got to touch, smell, and even taste several plant species that are endemic to New Zealand. 

Taking a walk in Riccarton Bush 

Learning about Podocarps and other native trees

Several invasive mammal predators that threaten native ecosystems

We found orange mushrooms!

A picnic lunch at Riccarton Bush

After a picnic lunch, the class traveled to downtown Christchurch. In downtown, we admired the street art,  and architecture at the public library, wandered around the library, and played at the fabulous Margaret Mahy Family Playground (where we met some very friendly black swans.) The class also visited the famous Christchurch cathedral and had tea time at a local coffee shop. Everyone loved the visit to downtown and is looking forward to coming back. 

Group photo in front of street art in downtown

Reading about Christchurch cathedral 

new library architecture 

At the playground

Our new friend 

Nico and Ryan with some city sheep

h

Tea and busses at local coffeeshop



In the evening we got to go to a Matariki celebration. The celebration honors the start of the Mauri new year and celebrates the appearance of the Matariki star cluster which consists of nine stars. The class got to see a song performance retelling the story of the Matariki as well as a fire dance performance which we were all impressed by. 

                                         Watching the fire performance at the Matariki celebration

Its been a busy day full of learning and fun. We can't wait to see what tomorrow will bring. 

- Charisse 

They have arrived! June 29

Well hello class of 2022! Welcome to Aotearoa.....it was pretty good trip from what I understand. People could see the southern Alps (covered with snow) on the way into Christchurch. Unfortunately, weather delayed Nico's flight and he arrives tomorrow. See you soon Nico!

They have arrived safe and somewhat sound

First group shows off kiwi fruit

Ryan, Charisse, and Ava figured out the airport "airplane" puzzle

We bundled up in the Gatorwaka and headed to University of Canterbury. After a discussion with unilodge representatives, the group moved into their dorm, had lunch, and we mustered (gathered) in the gatorwaka to take our first hike on the port hills. It was a warm hike with lots of views (and a very bright sun!)

Unilodge percentage about the dorms

First lunch in cafeteria

Let me tell you - beetroot and pumpkin soup!

Sign of the Kiwi

First tea time at Sign of Kiwi

Hiking up Sugarloaf on beautiful sunny day

At the top

Lyttleton Harbor (you are looking at the crater of a volcano that erupted millions of years ago. We are walking on the crater rim)

Colin talking about plants and "health and safety" Ryan looks very contemplative ...

Sun through the NZ Flax - it is getting dark fast!

It is such a pleasure to teach this class again. I can see by the excitement in everyone's eyes that this is going to be a great class. I wish everyone a good night rest and will see you in the morning. Frosty night - it will be below 0 Celsius tonight! If you get a chance - look at the stars this evening.  Dr. H