August 5th, 2014 In touch with our inner child on African safari - thanks Pete!

Hi Squad,  We miss you and hope that your next journeys are already off to a great start and that you are having fun times being reunited with your own families!

More rocks at Birdlings Flat

So, at the slideshow the other night, your friend Pete told us about a life-sized rhino made of recycled material over near Akaroa that we thought we should go find.  The day was beautiful (sunny, calm and warm - Meryl even had on just a T shirt for the hike) and of course we had to stop at Birdlings Flat for just a few more rocks.  Then we headed directly for Akaroa and stopped, as Pete had directed, just before we got there at Children's Bay.  We asked someone at the car park where we might find the rhino and he pointed out a hike just off the car park.  He said we would also see a croc and giraffes along the way as well.  And sure enough we did.  Hike has beautiful views of Akaroa going up and is only about an hour return.  Landowner, who's property the hike is on, even has newly planted natives all staked out and with their protective bags and carpet along the trail.  So, next time you are in New Zealand and over near Akarao, you will need to keep this hike in mind.  Thanks Pete!

Rhino - outstanding in his field

Now we are off to pack up and clean up and head on home ourselves.
Much love and hugs to all, Meryl, Mark, Jámm and Tupelo

P.S. The Sound of Music

Dr. Hos wants you to know that if you miss the sweet sounds of the Gatorwaka, you can catch them online here.

August 4th, 2014 The Journey Home and Beyond

Our Iwi at the Rapaki Marae

Kia Ora.  Having been immersed in Kiwi and Maori culture for the past five weeks will now 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 enjoyed 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 Hongi and hug to each of you, Mark, Meryl, Jámm, and Tupelo

August 4th, 2014 Historical day on two fronts

Susanne and June sing The Chattanooga Choo Choo before a sold out crowd.

Today marked the 100th anniversary of when New Zealand entered World War I.  So my friend June (originally from England but now residing in New Zealand for the last seven years) is such a kind-hearted soul and wanted to do something for the people of Christchurch to commemorate this historical day, but have it also be about being together to honor our loved ones and recognizing the comradery and love that still occurred in these hard times. She set about to put on a show, arranged for a facility to stage it and groups to help perform in it and even slides, banners, and costumes to remember and honor the historical significance of the occasion.  She put together an hour worth of songs from the WWI and WWII era and told about their significance as she and other guests performed them as well as included a half hour sing along (with four page sing along sheets to follow) for the 300 something attendees.  Most were from area retirement villages or of retirement age and everyone had a good time as they raised the roof with some songs that even I remember my Grandparents singing as I was growing up. June asked me to help her take the tickets for the event as two other friends were helping to park cars, and I was happy to help as I knew it meant that I would be able to hear her and another friend, Susanne, sing together.

Pies!

Hot Chocolate!

I was busy with my ticket-taking task as our students got to savor their last Hillyer's pies for lunch today, but got to catch up with them shortly after they did this and hung out in the Lincoln University Cafeteria where they had a chance to get a copy of our slideshow from our five-week adventure and chill for a bit before we headed off to the airport.

JC Penney pose among the natives at the Prebbleton Quarry. 

Heading in to the airport to weigh our bags.

Burger King in New Zealand.

A little last shopping in Kiwi land.

Of course we stopped along the way to check out a few more native plants and take in some sunshine but our short hike was thwarted by a lake showing up in the middle of it from June rains.  So we tossed some small rocks and larger rocks, gave the swings a swing, and, or course, took a group photo before heading on to the airport to hang out a little more.  The Squad was hungry when we got there and I laughed that most ordered Burger King from all of the variety of food court options.  Even Mark and the kids could not resist a few fries. And, of course, we needed ANOTHER group photo!

The Squad in action just before going through security.

We are all tired, sad to be leaving, and excited about our next travels (Tory will meet up with her family here for another week or so, and Katherine and Sam will be traveling on to Australia), and being home with loved ones.  It has been a really fun time and we can't believe it is already time to go?!  Tonight, our driveway outside the flat looks empty without the Gatorwaka (Piwakawaka looks lonely without her buddy), and Lincoln Campus seems a little too quiet with the thought of our students not being just across the cricket and rugby fields. Love and hugs and safe travels, Meryl

August 3, 2014 Documenting Good Memories

This day is a rite-of-passage of sorts. Student Journals from the past 5 weeks recounting both scientific information and personal responses to our experiences were due today, and we celebrated the course end with time together with folks who have helped us along the way and a slideshow (cramming as many photos as we could of over 3,750 photos into just 160 slides) of our good memories together.  We have done so much and have become whānau (family). The Squad is off for one more night together in Lincoln at The Grouse.  Thank you for all the fun! 

Sweet Dreams under clear and starry skies of Aotearoa, Meryl

August 2nd, 2014 Plenty of Warm Sunshine, A Future Farm...Now, Markets, The Willowbank Experience, and a Rugby Game

Graeme shows us the battery storage system for his solar panels.

A neat little set up for using the sun to run a fan and heat up a cold metal shed!

Despite our time here winding down, we were up with the sun and rattling our dags to get as much in as we can and today was no exception.  The weather gods smiled on us with brilliant warm sun (and strong gales from the northwest) that boosted our spirits.  We started our day at Graeme and Karen's lifestyle block farm.  Graeme works at Landcare Research and in his "spare" daylight-savings time (even in winter) hours manages to keep a farm of apples, apricots and almonds.  When he is not tending to his trees, he is busy keeping up with all of the latest technology from the world so that he can be as off the grid as possible.  His house and farm sport solar panels and all sorts of gadgets he has rigged up like a tinted plexiglass panel for collecting and distributing heat from the sun to his cold metal shed and a system in his house to heat the water from the wood stove.  He collects the rainwater to filter and use in the house and even has a wind turbine that he is working on getting up and running.  All very inspiring to show how much can be with little things and little steps to lower our impact on our planet.

SHEEP!  And LAMBS!

Graeme and Karen also keep some sheep to help with strategic mowing in the orchards and it is lambing season, so, of course, we had the extra treat of getting to visit with the sheep and their babies in a field and feed them.  Tooooooo cute!

Lincoln Market

Next we were off to two Saturday Markets - Lincoln's boasted their monthly special market with the stall holders entertaining patrons with their musical talents (and a Happy Birthday to our friend Amy who turned 15 today), and Riccarton Bush was bustling with folks on such a beautiful day.

Back in Lincoln, Hillyer's pies were in order as this delicacy is not easily duplicated in the states.  By the way, here are the winners of this year's New Zealand pie contest.

Lemurs watching us watching them.

In mid afternoon we loaded up the Gatorwaka and set out for Willowbank Reserve.  Willowbank cares for New Zealand wildlife that occurs both naturally in the country as well as species that are part of the country's history (i.e., species that were introduced by colonists over time).  Some of these species are domestic such as chickens and horses, others have become pest species such as wallabies and possums.  The park seeks to educate residents and visitors as to the heritage and challenges New Zealand's animal species bring to the table.  

Ancient, wise and prized by the Maori, the Tuatara can live to 300+ years.

Our tour also included native New Zealand species where we saw our first Tuatara, Kiwi, Takahe, and Morepork.

And, we got to experience Ko Tane - a Maori cultural performance.  Connor got to be our chief and made sure to let the Maori Village know that we came in peace by accepting their offering and performing a proper Hongi. We all had a wonderful time, and our gals got to give Poi a go, and our guys got to give a Haka a go as part of the performance.

Traditional stick game song.

Following our tours we had a traditional Hangi dinner and had a chance to thank Colin, Tupelo, and Jámm for their assistance with the course, and of course, the students for their enthusiasm and sense of adventure for making the course a success! 

Enjoying the Hangi together.

Finally, we ended our evening with the locals at the Famous Grouse Hotel/Pub to cheer on the Crusaders in the Rugby Finals.  Unfortunately it was not in the cards for the Crusaders who lost in the last second by one point to the New South Wales Waratahs.

Cheers, Meryl and Mark

August 1, 2014 DOC Nursury, Port Hills Panorama, Exploring Governor's Bay, Afternoon Tea in Lytteton and a Birthday

Checking out the Department of Conservation signage.

It was hardly the "warm blustery northwesterly" Metservice forecast, but slightly warmer temps held for a third day in a row making our day out at least dry and clear.  We began at the local Department of Conservation nursery where we practiced identifying native plants.  This nursery serves as a source for locally sourced plants, which is important for preserving genetic integrity for plants planted within this region of the country.

Lunch with a view of Lyttelton Harbor (we can almost see the tussock we moved on Quail Island)

Next up, my favorite hike in the Port Hills - the Crater Rim Walkway section near Omahu Bush Reserve which offers 360 views that include the Pacific Ocean, Birdlings Flat, Lake Ellesmere, the Canterbury Plains/Christchurch area and views to the Southern Alps and of Lyttelton Harbor.  We hiked up to a large rocky outcrop where we ate our lunch and enjoyed the views.  Then the "blustery" weather got more blustery and we decided it was time to move on.

Tory shows a little crab she found under the rocks at low tide at Governor's Bay.

After driving along the Summit Drive of the Port Hills we headed down to Governor's Bay to explore the rocks and look for sea life whilst (as they say here) the tide was out.  We found little crabs under rocks, played in the mud (intentionally and unintentionally) a little, and enjoyed the views and sheltered-from-the-shoreline walk along the rocky shore.

Happy Birthday Christina!

Then we were off for tea time in Lyttelton and a chance to celebrate Christina's Birthday!  The Squad is off for a night out in Christchurch.  Have fun and Cheers, Meryl

July 31, 2014 Third Time's The Charm - Birdlings Flat

Kaitorete Spit along Lake Ellesmere

Another beautiful day with strong winds and warm temps. We started the day entering over 100 species of plants and animals that we have seen on Nature Watch NZ (see http://naturewatch.org.nz/ and look for UF Biodiversity course under projects). The students (or the squad) wanted to go back to Birdlings Flat and we also decided to take the 18 km trip along Kaitorete Spit is New Zealands second longest sand spit hosting several unique species of flora and fauna, including the only native spider with a poisonous bite, the Katipo (don't worry, they are very rare and we did not see any). 

Little did we know the adventure (especially for me) driving the Gatorwaka through quite a few paddocks with a gravel road and judder bars. I wanted to explore the spit (having never been there) and see were the salt water meets the fresh water of the lake. On y va! (french for here we go)

Gate keeping across paddocks.

Sooooooooooo cute!

First up was some marvelous up close views of ewes (sheep that is of the female kind) with their newly born lamb. Lots of ohhs and ahhhhs and their so cute from the squad. The road to the end of the spit was a mixture of pasture, natives (small shrubs, Muehlenbeckia astonii), and of course lots of beach with ROCKS to collect.

Ewww of a different kind.

Rocks, glorious rocks!

View out across the Pacific Ocean.

When we go to the opening where the ocean met the lake, we saw freshwater pouring out of Lake Ellesmere (Te Waihora). It looked green and full of silt. Lake Ellesmere is one of the most polluted lakes in New Zealand (see https://www.selwyn.govt.nz/facilities-and-parks/facilities/lake-ellesmere) and it used to be a big fishing area, particularly for flounder and eels caught by local Maori. However, wastewater runoff from farms (loaded with nitrates) has polluted the lake and there is an effort to improve the lakes water quality by changing farming practices upstream. See also http://www.wet.org.nz/  We had a close look at where all the nutrients go from the urban and rural  landscape. It even relates to back home where plenty of Floridians dump fertilizers on their lawns, and most of the fertilizers end of up our ground water and waterways. One can see our clean/clear springs changing right before our eyes!

We ended the day relaxing on Birdlings Flat (of course collecting more rocks). Watching gannets and other birds fishing and eating fish. 

Dr. H