|
Educational study programmes for Universities and Colleges Since 1992 Nature Quest has been developing and arranging a variety of study abroad programmes in conjunction with, and for, university and colleges. These have been both for credit and non-credit. An example is a New Zealand ecology/natural resource management study programme of 9 week duration. This course has been run on several occasions for full credit amounting to 25% of year's grade for the participating students. The first two weeks of the nine week course focused on an introduction to New Zealand, its natural history and culture. During the six weeks that followed students studied the ecology of a diverse range of communities and specific resource management issues, in the various areas of New Zealand that the group travelled through. Issues included the preservation of habitats, impacts of introduced predators, the plight of threatened species, the Treaty of Waitangi ( an agreement signed by the indigenous Maori people and European setters ), land rights and use by Maori people, cultural/traditional harvest of native species, marine reserves, the fisheries management quota system and it's effectiveness, the impacts of tourism on the environment and may more. The students gave regular presentations and initiated formal discussions in the field, on subjects pertinent to the area they were in. Information for these presentations came from current scientific papers/articles supplied by Nature Quest new Zealand. Each individual chose a topic for intensive study and throughout the trip researched the background information, current issues, opinions of local people and sought specialist advice on their chosen subject. Topics for study include: the plight of the endangered kakapo, kauri forests, the life history of wetas, relative success of the takahe captive breeding programme, deer management, impacts of tourism on the New Zealand environment and the management of natural resources by indigenous people. The tour can be co-operatively led by one to two lecturers from the faculty, and a trip manager from Nature Quest. The majority of the course work is taught by staff, with input from Nature Quest New Zealand naturalists where appropriate and external specialists in various fields every few days. These specialists included staff from the Department of Conservation, Landcare Research, Royal Forest and Bird Society, Forestry Research Institute, various New Zealand universities and independent consultants. Recreational pursuits can be incorporated into the programmes such as hiking the world renowned Milford Track, sea kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park, sailing in the Bay of Islands and whalewatching off the Kaikoura coast, as well as enjoying a selection of activities on rest days. Some options available on non-study/travel days were: bungy-jumping, mountain biking, luge runs, whitewater rafting, parapenting, horseback riding, boating, swimming with dolphins and hiking in a variety of coastal, forest and alpine landscapes. In keeping with Nature Quest's philosophy, cultural and environmental sensitivity was promoted throughout the trip, in all activities. If you would like more information or have any queries concerning our Environmental Education and Study Abroad Programmes please do not hesitate to contact us . |
|
;) enlarge
|
;)
;)
| © Nature Quest New Zealand Ltd 1988 - 2012 | Founded 1988 PO Box 6314 Dunedin, New Zealand | Tel: +64 3 489 8444 | Fax: +64 3 489 8444 Email: nature@naturequest.co.nz |
website design by zeevo |