In Reflection
On our last walk we formed a reflection circle where we all had the chance to brainstorm about what we learnt through doing this competition. Here is a summary of our reflections.
How far did we walk and the final distance we walked:
Three things we have learnt about conservation
The difference between our chosen Great Walk and our local tracks?
- We walked 32.8 km as a whole class on our school walking trips, out of the 46 km that is Lake Waikaremona.
- We walked 127.1 km with our families outside of school, on our local walks.
- We walked 2136.8 km to school and back during the competition.
Three things we have learnt about conservation
- Everything is dependent. We all rely on each other so that when part of the system is not working, the rest will fail or not work so well. For example, we rely on trees for oxygen and they like our carbon dioxide. Animals need trees for shelter, food and respiration. We use trees and plants for shelter and food also. We all need to live sustainably so we are not fighting against each other, but are working to protect each other. If we chose not to care about our natives, we wont have them. They depend on us to protect them. However, if you took humans out of the world, the world would be happier without us.
- The more people protecting, the better the chance that we can conserve our natives. In our bat game we realized that there are many predators of all kinds that are harmful to our natives. We need more people to stand up for them.
- We can all help by teaching others about what we have learnt. Sharing knowledge, shares the responsibility. We all have a responsibility to protect our New Zealand Native species so that we don't loose them. They are unique and that helps make NZ the special place it is.
- There are lots of amazing things in our backyard that we never knew about! There are also lots of people trying to help look after these treasures- native plants and animals. There are lots of projects that people have started that we can help out in with our families.
- There is a lot of rubbish in our community when you take the time to notice. A lot of this rubbish comes from take away stores. This is sad. If people knew how there rubbish can effect the birds, would they drop it?
- There are many plants and trees from all over the world that now live alongside our natives. They come from different climates but have adapted to NZ. This is just like our people. NZ is a place with lots of different people. We are diverse.
The difference between our chosen Great Walk and our local tracks?
Differences:
Similarities:
- Lake Waikaremoana Track is further than any that we have done!
- Our local walking tracks have been man-made where people are trying to restore the native bushes and birds back to what it once would have been. People are planting trees and the bush is young. We think Lake Waikaremoana looks like an untouched treasure of the past. The bush around it is old and special.
- The track on Waikaremoana has huts for people to stay along the way. We had our houses!
Similarities:
- Both have Native bush and similar animals (see Harry Wakatipu tab)
- Both have an important source of water - We have the Waikato River, Lake Waikaremoana is a lake! This water gives life to everything around it.
- Both have lots of insect life
- People have created walkways so they can be enjoyed by all
- Both have people trying to protect the hidden Gems and preserve them.