
<p><img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-112" style="margin: 5px; float: right;" src="http://schoolnewsnz.fastrackdev.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Department_of_Conversation.jpg" alt="Department of Conversation" width="250" height="150" />The Department of Conservation (DOC) looks after one third of the land mass of New Zealand on behalf of the people of New Zealand.</p>
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<p>While many areas are remote, wild and physically challenging a lot of the DOC estate is close to urban areas and provides opportunity for both guided and independent outside-the-classroom experiences for students and teachers.</p>
<p>From the Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve in Northland to the Kepler Track in Southland; and from Tiritiri Matangi Island in the Hauraki Gulf to Oriental Bay&#8217;s seascape mural in Wellington, the teaching of the New Zealand curriculum can be enhanced by field trips that cater for year 1 to 13 students.</p>
<p>External learning experiences on the DOC estate fall into two categories – assisted or independent. For either category the DOC website is the key to determining resources, curriculum links, activities and contacts.</p>
<p>There are literally hundreds of <a class="wpil_keyword_link" href="https://www.schoolnews.co.nz/2015/10/developing-opportunities-at-school-with-a-view/" title="opportunities" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked" target="_blank">opportunities</a> out there, so for the purposes of this article a taste of assisted and independent field trips sites at the mid-secondary and mid-primary level have been have been selected.</p>
<p>Tiritiri Matangi, Hauraki Gulf Marine Park</p>
<p>Tiritiri Matangi Island boasts one of the most successful community-based conservation projects in the world. In just 10 years, thousands of volunteers have planted close to 300,000 trees, restoring pasture to native forest and creating a home for some of New Zealand&#8217;s most endangered birds – including takahē, little spotted kiwi, kōkako, hihi (stitchbird) and tieke (saddleback).</p>
<p>Visits are suitable for year 4 to year 13 students and must be booked well in advance due to the island&#8217;s popularity. Travel by ferry to the island can be from downtown Auckland or Gulf Harbour.</p>
<p>A comprehensive teaching resource is available and volunteer guides make a day trip a great learning experience.</p>
<p>Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve, Northland</p>
<p>In 1981, the ocean surrounding the Poor Knights Islands was established as New Zealand&#8217;s second marine reserve. The marine reserve extends for 800 metres offshore around the Poor Knights Islands.</p>
<p>Beneath the waves at the Poor Knights an ocean of diving has been compressed into a relatively small area. The caves, arches, tunnels and sheer cliffs provide a great variety of habitats to explore.</p>
<p>Visitors to the marine reserve are welcome, and boating, snorkelling, scuba diving and canoeing are encouraged.</p>
<p>This would be a great senior secondary biology field trip with astounding marine biodiversity being visible in these crystal clear waters.</p>
<p>There is no DOC-managed accommodation at Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve. However, Tutukaka Harbour offers the closest place to stay and is the base for commercial diving companies.</p>
<p>Seascape Mural, Wellington</p>
<p>The seascape mural is located in Wellington&#8217;s Oriental Bay, near Te Papa and Waitangi Park.</p>
<p>The community has worked together to create a mural which features around 40 marine species found in Wellington&#8217;s marine environment.</p>
<p>It provides an exciting &#8220;outdoor classroom&#8221; that is easily accessible to Wellington schools.</p>
<p>In a field trip to Oriental Bay the seascape mural can provide a focus for primary students to learn more about the marine environment, develop key competencies (thinking, making meaning, relating to others, self-management, participating and contributing) and address the key environmental concepts of interdependence, sustainability, biodiversity and personal and social responsibility for action.</p>
<p>Native Plant Nursery, Canterbury</p>
<p>Motukarara Conservation Nursery is located within the Waihora Domain at Motukarara, 30 km from the centre of Christchurch.</p>
<p>The nursery grows Canterbury native plants exclusively. Plants are propagated from seed collected from native remnants throughout the Canterbury region.</p>
<p>The teaching resource supports teachers and students who visit the nursery to learn about Canterbury&#8217;s plant communities and their interactions with native animals. A visit would suit both secondary and primary groups.</p>
<p>This resource can be used in other locations to explore native plant communities and habitats.</p>
<p>These are just a few of the many opportunities for field trips on the DOC estate.</p>
<p>To find out check out the DOC website, www.doc.govt.nz, not only will you find out about on-site learning but also access a number of online resources. So go out, get involved, and enjoy!</p>

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