Last Friday, NZ Epiphyte Network members were involved in the first ever youth-focussed biodiversity event. The Pukemokemoke Youth Biodiversity Day was hosted by the Waikato Biodiversity Forum at the Pukemokemoke Bush Reserve, 20 minutes northeast of Hamilton.
The event was organised by a committee of young volunteers who aimed to promote local flora and fauna and inspire students to pursue careers in conservation. Sixty students from the University of Waikato, Hamilton high schools and local home school groups came along to hear from young people who work in biodiversity-related areas.
The event was organised by a committee of young volunteers who aimed to promote local flora and fauna and inspire students to pursue careers in conservation. Sixty students from the University of Waikato, Hamilton high schools and local home school groups came along to hear from young people who work in biodiversity-related areas.
A 5 minute run down on NZ epiphyte ecology! Photo: DOC.
Speakers from Kiwi Encounter, Wingspan, Plant and Food, Waikato Regional Council, Unmask Palm Oil and the University of Waikato all did a stellar job of exciting and inspiring the students.
I gave a talk about NZ's epiphytes, their ecology and the exciting methods of studying them. Two fabulous arborists even came along to provide an interesting and quite simply awesome tree climbing demonstration.
I gave a talk about NZ's epiphytes, their ecology and the exciting methods of studying them. Two fabulous arborists even came along to provide an interesting and quite simply awesome tree climbing demonstration.
Marcus describes the use of a big shot to get lines into a tree. Photo: C. Kirby.
The number of students who already knew about epiphytes was low but after 20 minutes in the bush with my team the image of a great kahikatea, its epiphytes and some impressive tree climbers won't be leaving them too soon!
I'd like to thank Marcus and Mike for coming along for the climb as well as our amazing organising committee and the Waikato Biodiversity Forum for making this event possible.
I'd like to thank Marcus and Mike for coming along for the climb as well as our amazing organising committee and the Waikato Biodiversity Forum for making this event possible.
mmmm I call this "supervising", by the end of the day I was extremely grateful that Marcus and Mike did half the talking! Photo: DOC.
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