Description
ENV203: “NATIVE FOREST RESTORATION”
Next Offered: 2022 Term 3
Day and time: to be determined. Week 6 field trip on Saturday 10:00am to 12:00pm.
Dates: to be determined.
Location: EarthDiverse, 401 Grey Street, Hamilton East, Hamilton (see map below under Location tab), or on-line via-Zoom. There is a field excursion to the Mangaonua gully in Silverdale during Week 6 (Saturday 27 November 10:00am to 12:00pm).
This eight-week course is good for people of all levels and experiences.
From ancient Gondwana to modern Hamilton and the Waikato we examine geological and climate histories as well as various theories of forest restoration. A range of environmental areas will be discussed within the context of important local initiatives. Participants learn to identify ecological areas, native and exotic plants, as well as various local animal species.
We also look at what motivates people to build more healthy environments in cities and the countryside. People, lifestyles and health are all important aspects.
Join our class for theoretical and practical explorations of how to improve our environment and our way of life.
COURSE OUTLINE:
- Week 1: Introduction; Gondwana to Aotearoa – what made us
- Week 2: Aotearoa geographical and biological history
- Week 3: The Waikato basin and the Hamilton ecological areas
- Week 4: Local plant and animal species
- Week 5: Hamilton City gully restoration. Geology, ecology and policy
- Week 6: Field trip to the Mangaonua Esplanade Silverdale (Sat 27 Nov 10am-12pm)
- Week 7: The Bradley method of forest restoration
- Week 8: Group discussions and proposals
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course.
Distance Learning: This course has distance-learning options for those unable to attend the live class sessions in Hamilton. Students have three options for attending our courses once they have registered:
- attend in-person classes in our Hamilton classrooms at the regularly scheduled day and time,
- attend our live on-line classroom sessions via Zoom at the regular scheduled day and time,
- watch the live-recorded class sessions at your leisure, at a time, day and place more suited to your schedule.
These options can be mixed and matched throughout the course to suit your own availability and location.
This course is taught by George Lusty, MA (Hons), Dip Ed, Dip TESL. George is a Hamilton environmentalist currently helping to restore the Mangaonua Esplanade in Silverdale, Hamilton. George previously worked as a programme manager at Wintec teaching environmental, communication and cultural studies. George was born in Kirikiriroa and grew up in Ōtorohanga and has retained his lifelong passion for the environment and the outdoors. He has been involved in practical forest restoration work for over 20 years.
DISTANCE-LEARNING OPTIONS:
In addition to our in-person classes in Hamilton, our courses offer distance learning options for those unable to attend classes in-person. Live-streamed Hamilton classes are available via free Zoom software for those living outside the Waikato. Live-streaming allows you to participate fully in your own learning, ask questions of the instructor and participate fully in the same way as if you were in the physical classroom.
Those unable to attend the scheduled date and time of the actual class sessions, or those who need to miss a class or two due to previous engagements or unexpected illness, can watch any or all of the live-recorded video sessions on their computers, laptops, tablets or mobile devices and study at their own pace and in their own time.
Detailed instructions on how to access our distance learning components will be sent after completing your registration. There are no additional fees for this service. However, distance learners will need access to a desktop or laptop computer with a good quality web-camera (tablet devices and mobile phones can also access our live-streamed classes), a built-in microphone (most modern laptops have built-in microphones) or a headset with a microphone. You will also need to download and install the free Zoom software on your computer or device. Those accessing the video recordings will be able to do so with a simple web browser on any device.
- Any Term can be taken independently of the others, and there are no prerequisites for any of the Term courses.
- This class has no assignments, required readings, quizzes, tests or exams.
- All classes encourage questions and group discussion.
- PDF copies of each class presentation, where appropriate, are emailed to all participants the next day so that you are free to focus on class content rather than taking notes. You are most welcome to come, sit back, relax, take part in and enjoy the discussions!
- Course fees include a short tea/coffee/snack break somewhere in the middle of each session.
- There are no refunds for missed classes. Missed classes can be made up by watching the on-line recording of the class session, which is usually posted within 24 hours.
- Guests of registered participants are welcome to attend a single class at no charge.
- Certificates of Completion for any particular Term Course or Series are available for Professional Development purposes upon request at the end of each Term or Series.
Cost per person per Term (8 classes):
- Waged: $150 (includes GST + online registration fee)
- Unwaged (unemployed, students, seniors): $125 (includes GST + online registration fee)
Prices for Waged and Unwaged registrants remain the same regardless of your chosen method for accessing our courses. This means that you have the option to mix and match access between attending our regularly-scheduled live class sessions in our Hamilton classrooms, accessing our live class sessions on-line via Zoom at the regularly scheduled class meeting time (no matter where you are located), or watching the video-recorded sessions anywhere at a time and date of your choosing. This allows you to study at your own pace and in your own time.
Once registered, you have three choices for attending your course:
- attend our in-person class sessions in our Hamilton classrooms,
- Zoom in to our live classroom sessions and participate in discussions,
- access the live-recorded class sessions each week. This allows you to register for an entire course, even though the scheduled class session day/time may not be suitable to your schedule. You may also use this option to watch any recorded session for review, or in case you may miss a class session due to prior engagement, being away, or due to illness. This allows you to catch up with any “missed” sessions at a more suitable time.
Once registered, you will receive detailed instructions on how to access our courses via either of the distance-learning options, i.e. live access via Zoom, or watching the video-recorded sessions.
LOCATION: All in-person classes are held at the EarthDiverse offices and classrooms temporarily located at 401 Grey Street, Hamilton East, Hamilton. Please enter via the Cook Street entrance (see map below). Those looking for parking for our evening classes can park just in front on the main entrance in any of the available car parks via the Cook Street entrance. On-street daytime parking can be found on Cook Street, Grey Street or around Steele Park. There is a single Disability car park located a few steps from the front door. Plenty of space for bicycles too!
Please note that Week 6 session (Saturday 27 November 10:00am to 12:00pm) will consist of a field excursion to a Mangaonua Esplanade gully system in Silverdale, Hamilton.
DISTANCE LEARNING: You get to choose your location when you Zoom in to our live classroom sessions, or access our classes at your leisure and at a time and day of your choosing by watching the video recorded sessions from each class. This allows you to study at your own pace.
