Showing posts with label Logistics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Logistics. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Uphill, both ways, 5.5 hours - July 26th


Views to the south and north of the Tasman Sea

Chasing the good weather to the West Coast paid off.  We had to stage a car at the end of the Croesus Track in Barrytown on the coast and then travel all together around to the other side of the mountain in Blackball to start our overnight journey.  Along the way to Barrytown we enjoyed a brilliant morning with the sun glistining off the Tasman Sea and spectacular views of the coastline.

Swing Bridge
Ces Clark Hut just within reach
Our 8.3 mile hike up to the Cess Clark Hut took us across three swing bridges, along a beautiful clear river and eventually, at the top, out of the dense rainforest to tussock and spectacular views of the valley and south toward the Southern Alps.  Along the way we saw the New Zealand Robin, heard a Tui, and as the day wore on we heard what we were after - a Kiwi!

We got settled in at the hut, saw a Weka, and enjoyed our freeze dried dinners.  Some of us ventured out for an evening hike to hear more Kiwi. 
Cheers, Mark and Meryl

Monday, July 2, 2012

Updated Course Schedule


June 30            Students leave Florida

July 2, Mon    Students arrive in Christchurch, orientation, rest and casual trip around Canterbury  and the Port Hills (sign of the kiwi)

July 3, Tues    Low ropes in the morning?  afternoon orientation, first powerpoint on conserving biodiversity (Mark Hostetler), group discussion, (why matter to farmer, urbanite,?) Commerce 5

July 4, Wed     Morning (8:30 am), Dr. Colin Meurk gives talk about Canterbury Natural History and common and uncommon NZ flora, mid morning to afternoon - field identification of common and uncommon NZ flora at Riccarton Bush,

July 5, Thur    restoration with Banks Peninsula Trust, afternoon hike to lookout point in the Port Hills

July 6, Fri       Morning (9:00 am) meet Craig Pauling presentation on Ngai Tahu involvement with biodiversity conservation; late morning afternoon trip to Travis Wetland (with Colin?) perform first transect bird count

July 7, Sat       Lincoln Market; Sumner Beach and cave rock

July 8,  Sun      morning free time, afternoon meet (2:00 pm) Sue Jarvis at Mahoe reserve and participate in restoration project;

July 9,  Mon    Morning presentation by Dr. Hostetler (design, construction, post-construction for biodiverse developments); late morning- afternoon trip to Pegasus Development, group discussion about green developments, course journal

July 10, Tues  Trip to Hinewai Reserve, go to Akaroa, stay at Hinewai Lodge

July 11, Wed   Long hike in reserve, stay at Hinewai Lodge

July 12, Thur  Go on rim/crater drive, stop at Okains Bay Maori and Colonial Museum, stop at Totara tree in Montgomery Park, Birdling Flat

July 13, Fri      meet Malcom and Pauline in the morning; Hike Sign of the Kiwi and explore Lyttleton Harbor

July 14, Sat     Graeme’s House 9:30 am Riccarton Bush Market, cricket match afternoon?

July 15, Sun    Trip to Quail island with Quail Island Restoration www.quailisland.org.nz

July 16, Mon  Mid- morning Solutions for creating a sustainable culture – Dr. Will Allen; Dr. Dean Anderson gives talk about controlling mammals (late morning), group discussion afternoon visit green development in Lincoln along the Liffey; meet with Ngai Tahu development representative David Schwartfeger

July 17, Tues    Free Time (Wunder Bar in the evening)

July 18, Wed   late morning, Botannical Garden Meurke walk, Canterbury museum, Explore Christchurch and explore the Christchurch rebuild and Central Business District

July 19, Thur  Washpen Falls Hike
                                 
July 20-22,      Fri-Sun Free time (opportunity for skiing)
                       
July 23, Mon  Colin presentation on restoration ecology, mid-morning to late afternoon trip to Waipara valley and wineries and biodiversity conservation; meet local representative Darryl on the Waipara Greening Project, course journal discussion in afternoon stay at Waipara Sleeper Cars
                         
July 24, Tues  Leave for Kaikoura, fur seal colony, stay at Takahanga Marae and learn about Maori culture                   

July 25, Wed   Morning option, whale watch. Others do walk the cliff top walk and learn about the sheerwater conservation from Jodie Denton          

July 26, Thur  morning – free time; afternoon, group discussion about development and biodiversity conservation, course journal development

July 27, Fri     Trip to Arthur’s Pass and Greymouth (stop for keas and walk to waterfalls), stay in Greymouth at Revinston Hotel

July 28, Sat     See pancake rocks in morning?, Croesus track hike and stay overnight at Cess Clark Hut

July 29, Sun    Walk the rest of the Croesus track, check into Ashley hotel, see pancake rocks and see glow worms in cave at night

July 30, Mon  Trip back to Christchurch through Lewis Pass (stop and hike in Goblin forest), count tomtits along road through pass

July 31, Tues  Meet and talk with Bank Peninsula Landowner Pam Richardson and how farming and conservation can work

Aug 1, Wed     morning – group discussion, course journal reflections; afternoon Students choice

Aug 2, Thur    White-flippered penguins (morning); Dinner and tour of Willow Bank Preserve

Aug 3, Fri        Free time during the day (finish course journal), last dinner get together at the Famous Grouse Restaurant (fun slide show), Course journal due

Aug 4, Sat       Depart for Florida!

They're Here! - July 2nd


Kia Ora New Zealand!

Everyone arrived safely and were met warmly by Tupelo and her sign.  After getting checked into the dorm rooms, a hot lunch was in order.  

Say Hokey Pokey ice cream!
Hiking in the Port Hills down toward Lyttelton Harbor to Sign of the Kiwi from the view over Christchurch.
Then we managed to keep everyone awake until dinner time by sampling some Tip Top ice cream and taking in a short hike in the Port Hills overlooking Christchurch.  A good night of rest is in order and we think everyone will have no problem with that. - Meryl

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

WIS 4905 Course Schedule (Tentative)

The course schedule is tentatively set!  You can share this with friends and family so they will have a rough idea of what you will be doing and they can check in with the blog every few days (if not daily) to see the details of our adventures:


June 30            Students leave Florida

July 2, Mon    Students arrive in Christchurch, orientation, rest and casual trip around Canterbury  and the Port Hills (sign of the kiwi)

July 3, Tues    Low ropes in the morning; afternoon orientation, first powerpoint on conserving biodiversity (Mark Hostetler), group discussion,

July 4, Wed     Morning (8:30 am), Dr. Colin Meurk gives talk about Canterbury Natural History and common and uncommon NZ flora, mid morning to afternoon - field identification of common and uncommon NZ flora at Riccarton Bush, explore the Christchurch rebuild and Central Business District

July 5, Thur    restoration with Banks Peninsula Trust, afternoon hike to lookout point in the Port Hills

July 6, Fri       Morning (9:00 am) meet Craig Pauling presentation on Ngai Tahu involvement with biodiversity conservation; late morning afternoon trip to Travis Wetland (with Colin?) perform first transect bird count

July 7, Sat       Riccarton Bush Farmer’s market, Sumner Beach and cave rock

July 8,  Sun      morning free time, afternoon meet (2:00 pm) Sue Jarvis at Mahoe reserve and participate in restoration project;

July 9,  Mon    Morning presentation by Dr. Hostetler (design, construction, post-construction for biodiverse developments); late morning- afternoon trip to Pegasus Development, group discussion about green developments, course journal

July 10, Tues  Trip to Arthur’s Pass and Greymouth (stop for keas and walk to waterfalls), stay in Greymouth at Revinston Hotel

July 11, Wed   See pancake rocks in morning?, Croesus track hike and stay overnight at Cess Clark Hut

July 12, Thur  Walk the rest of the Croesus track, check into Ashley hotel, see pancake rocks and see glow worms in cave at night

July 13, Fri      Trip back to Christchurch through Lewis Pass (stop and hike in Goblin forest), count tomtits along road through pass

July 14, Sat     Free day

July 15, Sun    Trip to Quail island with Quail Island Restoration www.quailisland.org.nz

July 16, Mon  Mid- morning Solutions for creating a sustainable culture – Dr. Will Allen; Dr. Dean Anderson gives talk about controlling mammals (late morning), group discussion afternoon visit green development in Lincoln along the Liffey; meet with Ngai Tahu development representative David Schwartfeger

July 17, Tues Trip to Hinewai Reserve, go to Akaroa, stay at Hinewai Lodge

July 18, Wed   Long hike in reserve, stay at Hinewai Lodge

July 19, Thur  Go on rim/crater drive, stop at Okains Bay Maori and Colonial Museum, stop at Totara tree in Montgomery Park, Birdling Flat
                                
July 20-22,      Fri-Sun Free time (opportunity for skiing)
                       
July 23, Mon  Colin presentation on restoration ecology, mid-morning to late afternoon trip to Waipara valley and wineries and biodiversity conservation; meet local representative Darryl on the Waipara Greening Project, course journal discussion in afternoon
                         
July 24, Tues  Leave for Kaikoura, fur seal colony, stay at Takahanga Marae and learn about Maori culture
                       
July 25, Wed   Morning option, whale watch. Others do walk the cliff top walk and learn about the sheerwater conservation from Jodie Denton          

July 26, Thur  morning – free time; afternoon, group discussion about development and biodiversity conservation, course journal development

July 27, Fri     Washpen Falls Hike

July 28, Sat     Riccarton Bush market (Christchurch), cricket?

July 29, Sun    mid morning, Graeme’s farm to explore a sustainable kiwi home, afternoon cricket match

July 30, Mon  late morning, Botanical Garden Meurky walk, Canterbury museum,

July 31, Tues  Meet and talk with Bank Peninsula Landowner Pam Richardson and how farming and conservation can work

Aug 1, Wed     morning – group discussion, course journal reflections; afternoon Students choice

Aug 2, Thur    White-flippered penguins (morning); Dinner and tour of Willow Bank Preserve

Aug 3, Fri        Free time during the day (finish course journal), last dinner get together at the Famous Grouse Restaurant (fun slide show), Course journal due

Aug 4, Sat       Depart for Florida!

Monday, March 19, 2012

New and Old NZ Students Get Opportunity to Interact

2012 New Zealand Summer Study Abroad Students 
We met for the second time today to go over logistics for our trip this summer.  This time we got to meet students who went on last year's adventures and get inspired. We also got put to the test with some NZ trivia (see next post to see how you fair and learn more). - Meryl