New conservation education resource for Borland
9 December 2015
New conservation education resource for
Borland
School students visiting Borland Lodge in Fiordland will be better engaged with the natural environment with the launch of a new conservation education resource.
Recently, the Department of Conservation (DOC) launched the Borland Super Site resource at the College of Education in Invercargill. The launch was run in partnership with the Borland Lodge Adventure and Education Trust. Borland Lodge is a popular location for Southland and Otago schools to study the natural environment and learn new outdoor skills against the stunning backdrop of Fiordland National Park.
The launch gave teachers and environmental educators an overview of the resource and the chance to run through some of the activities with the author, Catherine Brimecombe.
Greg Lind, DOC Te Anau Operations Manager, said “This resource gives teachers an extra tool to deliver great conservation education in Fiordland.”
The Super Site resource is aimed at upper primary and lower secondary students and their teachers. The topics covered include: local geology, native species of the southern beech forest, the impact of introduced species, streams and wetlands and the history of the Borland area. The resource is filled with exciting activities that encourage learning in the environment, and is linked to the New Zealand Curriculum.
Michelle Crouchley, DOC Te Anau Community Ranger, said “The Super Site will encourage teachers and students visiting Borland to connect with the natural environment around them. It links with DOC’s National Education Strategy which focuses on connecting young New Zealanders with nature and helping them to understand and value our special places.”
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