Week 4 Protect and Preserve Day: 4

DAY 4: Making Promises

Activity 1: Campaigning for Conservation [4 points]

New Zealand is home to so many beautiful, unique and, sometimes, endangered animals and habitats. The Forest & Bird organisation is working really hard to protect vulnerable animals and places in NZ. They are doing everything that they can to raise money and to raise awareness so that everyone knows about these issues. These are called ‘campaigns.’ Check out the Forest & Bird campaigns site to learn more about them.

Imagine, that you have been hired by Forest & Bird New Zealand to work on one of their campaigns. It is your job to come up with a catchy slogan for the campaign. A slogan is a short phrase or sentence that is used to advertise something. Check out examples of common slogans and logos below.

    

On your blog, tell us which campaign you have chosen to support and provide us with a slogan for that campaign.

I would support McDonald's because the slogan of McDonald's is "I'm Lovin' It" because and that means that the I think make the perfects burgers that's what I think. I want to support McDonald's because it is one of my favorite foods in the world. Man I wanna go their in my own time. What i would provide is a big mac or a cheese burger for the people that are homeless and for their kids. Why because i feel very sad for those people who are starving.

Activity 2: The Plastic Pledge [4 points]

Over the past few decades some of New Zealand’s beaches have become dumping grounds for waste and rubbish. Almost 80% of this waste is made up of plastic items. Yikes!

Some companies in New Zealand have heard about the problem and agreed to cut down on their use of plastic. Countdown supermarkets, for example, have announced that they will stop giving out plastic bags to customers.  What do you think of this idea? What do your friends and family think? Is it a good idea or not?

For this activity, please ask one member of your family and/or a friend what they think about Countdown’s decision to go ‘plastic bag free.’

On your blog, tell us what they think about Countdown’s decision to stop using plastic bags.

We should stop using plastic bags because people don't care about throwing their rubbish away. When you throw your plastic bag away it can go anywhere i can even end up in the sea. But that is the thing because I have been watching the news and they are saying that "plastic bags should be banned and replace them with cloth bags because the thing is that people are throwing their rubbish and then the end up in the sea then sea creatures will it it especially turtles and fishes because they think they are food so they is it then they choke then they die so the people are saying we should band plastic bags". So that's what I think about banning plastic bags.

Activity 3: Restricted Access [10 points]

While much of our programme has focused on New Zealand, it is important that we also consider the environment in other places as well. One of the most unusual and spectacular sites to visit outside of New Zealand is called Machu Picchu. It is an ancient city that was built high up in the mountains in the country of Peru in South America. You have to take a train and/or walk through a series of mountains and valleys to reach it.

    

Over the past few decades millions of tourists have made the trek to Machu Picchu. Unfortunately, this has damaged the area and the local government has decided to restrict the number of visitors to the site each year. This decision has upset a lot of tourists who really want to see Machu Picchu but aren’t allowed to go.

On your blog, tell us what you think about the government’s decision to restrict the number of tourists able to visit this special site. Is it fair? Be sure to tell us why you feel the way that you do.

Is not fair, because the government are taking other peoples chances to look at this special place which i haven't been either. But its not fair because other people had to use a lot of money to pay for this trip. Just think of this you are going there and your really excited and then the people that owns it say " No tourist here no more the government made its command. Then you will think OMG!!! I have just wasted like about $360.60 just to get here. Then you will be low on food and also be low on money to buy things. So I think that it is not fair for tourist to be their plus one day i might even have a change to go there one day.

Week 4 Protect and Preserve Day: 3

DAY 3: Taking Action

Activity 1: Predator Free 2050 – A Call to Arms [4 points]

There is currently a huge drive to get rid of all predators from New Zealand. Predators are animals that, in some way, damage our natural environment. Many organisations are working hard to accomplish this goal.

Click on the links below to watch videos about three of the current projects operating to make New Zealand ‘Predator Free by 2050.’

Predator Free Video #1: Cacophony Project

Predator Free Video #2: Taranaki Mounga Project

Predator Free Video #3: Zero Invasive Predators (ZIP)

On your blog, tell us which one of the videos you liked the best and why.

I like the last one because the man was a DOC ranger and that was what I wanted to be but that's not it the man saved kiwis, egg's and other birds checks before they get eaten by predators. But what else I like about the video is that but he is asking people to join his programe which is called The Department of conversation. 

Activity 2: Protecting the Most Vulnerable - Fact or Fiction? [4 points]

Here in New Zealand we have a native dolphin, the Māui Dolphin, that is on the verge of extinction (disappearing forever). As of this year, there are only 63 Māui dolphins left and people predict that they will be extinct by 2033. Environmentalists are working hard to save the dolphin because it is such a special and unique animal. To learn more about the Māui Dolphin, please follow this link. Once you have learned more about the dolphin, it is time for you to share your learning with us.

On your blog, post three facts that you learned about the Māui Dolphin that are true. Then, using your imagination, create three more statements about Māui dolphins that are not true (i.e. false). Please don’t tell us which of your statements about Māui Dolphins are true and which are false. It will be the job of the students and staff who read your blog to figure it out.

1. Maui dolphins can be easily identified by a small black rounded dorsal fin.
2. These Maui dolphins are a subspecies of an Hector dolphin
3. Maui dolphins feed on very small fish, squids, and also ocean floor-dwelling.

1. Maui dolphins can only be found in West Coast of the North Island
2. Maui dolphins are only black and white
3. Maui dolphins Predators are killer whales

Activity 3: The Power of Ten [10 points]

Sir David Attenborough is a famous TV presenter from England who loves nature and the natural world. He has spent his career filming documentaries about the planet and working hard to protect it. In a recent interview, Sir David was asked to reflect on all that he had learned and to imagine that he had suddenly been given the power to save 10 animals and/or plants from extinction (disappearing forever).

After thinking about the question, he listed these 10 species (animals/plants):

1. Black Lion Tamarin (pictured to the right)

2. Sumatran Rhino

3. Solenodon

4. Olm Salamander

5. Spatuletail Hummingbird

6. Darwin’s Frog

7. Sunda pangolin

8. Priam’s Birding Butterfly

9. Northern Quoll

10. Venus’s Flower Basket

Let’s imagine that you had the same power and that you could save 10 species (animals or plants) from extinction. Who would you save? If I had the choice I would probably save animals like the elephant, white tiger and rhinoceros because they are unique and have lived for centuries on earth. I would also like to save some of my favourite flowers including hydrangeas and calla lily flowers. What about you?

   

Left to right: White tiger, Hydrangeas, Calla Lily

On your blog, list 10 species (animals or plants) that you would protect from extinction. For each one, give a reason as to why you think it is important to protect.

Rhinoceros, Because people are killing them so they can get their horn for black market or other things like selling it and the population of them is less than 60.

Elephants, People are killing just for a habit but what else they are doing is just like the Rhinos taking their Ivory tusks.

rare Rafflesia, It is one of the largest endangered flowers in the world and which can be found in the rain forest and plus over collected by humans.

Sea turtles, This is one of the rarest animal that people wanna kill because of their shell. People want their shell for also black market and get paid a lot of money.

Amur leopard, people are hunting it because of its beautiful fur its also a habit for being for human settlement and agricultural practices.

Tigers, tigers have been hunted for a long time because of their distinctive patterned fur. It's been hunted from 1970's till to 2008 is not bad because they escape but still endangered because they track them down.

Pangolin, these small animals are losing a battle against poachers and for the habit loss. they are under threat because of people tracking them.

Seals, seals are getting endangered by killer whales. killer whales are white and black they use their technique to kill them by flipping their fin with slowness then the wave hit the seal off then it kill it.

Gorillas, are endangered because people are killing them just for the sake of it. But people just have a habit of killing them.

Orangutan, People kill them because how big it is and the look of it. Their has been an approximately 80% of the population of Orangutan.

Week 4 Protect and Preserve Day: 2

DAY 2: Protecting Our Own

Activity 1: A Flying Fox [4 points]

New Zealand has some of the most beautiful forests in the world. Both New Zealanders and tourists, alike, enjoy walking through these forests. Unfortunately, constantly walking through forests can damage the plants and animals (flora and fauna) that live there. In an attempt to protect the local flora and fauna, an eco-tourism company in Rotorua came up with an idea. The Rotorua Canopy Tours Company designed a series of ziplines that sit above the forest canopy (top). People can ‘zip’ from one section of the forest to another, looking down on the beautiful natural areas below. To see what ziplining looks like, check out this video.

I have tried ziplining and I really enjoyed it, however, I must admit that I was pretty scared to try it at first. How would you feel if you had the chance to go ziplining in Rotorua?

On your blog, tell us how you would feel about going ziplining in Rotorua. Try to use some descriptive words (adjectives) and action words (verbs) in your post!.

I will be terrified because when you go ziplining you never know some thing would go wrong and when something goes wrong you will think that you will die but unless their is something to save you then I will go but also i am afraid of height's. But I would feel excited because I never been ziplining the only thing that will make me go ziplining is my parents because they really make safe when they are around but the way i feel about going ziplilng is cool.

Activity 2: A Protective Plant [4 points]

There are concerns about the water quality of some of the rivers, streams and oceans in and around New Zealand. Some people have suggested that we plant flowers and plants on the banks of our most polluted rivers to stop the spread of the pollution. Apparently, the plants can act as filters, absorbing some of the chemicals (pollutants) that are moving across the land, on their way to the river.

Planting can be a lot of fun! Have you ever planted a garden? Aronui and I are going to make our very own edible garden this year. We are going to plant a number of veggies, fruits and herbs, including mint, coriander, parsley, lemongrass, onions, tomatoes, beans, zucchinis, kumara and strawberries. Yum! If you could plant an edible garden what would you plant in it?

On your blog list 10 veggies, fruits, or herbs that you would plant in your garden.

• Carrots
• Tomato's
• Beets
• Leaf amaranth
• Brussels sprouts
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Peas
• Kidney Beans
• Apples

Activity 3: A House is Not a Home [10 points]

New Zealand is home to some unique wildlife that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. While we work very hard to protect our natural habitats so, too, do people living and working in other countries. One of the oldest international wildlife conservation organisations is called ‘Fauna & Flora International’ (FFI). They support a number of projects around the world, including those working to protect Lansan trees in the Caribbean, fruit forests in Tajikistan, and national reserves in Mozambique. Read about each of these projects and choose the one that interests you the most.

On your blog, tell us which project you find most interesting and why

I like the

Conserving threatened fruit-and-nut forests in Tajikistan project because it focuses on nut trees what they do is that they cut wood for collection and also do unsustainable grazing. But they are also focused on specific threatened tree species so that they might be dangerous to people and animals so yeah that's why i like that's what kind of project because it help people and it also helps other animals.     

Week 4 Protect and Preserve Day: 1

DAY 1: Preserving the Past

Activity 1: World of Wearable (WOW) Art [4 points]

If we want to protect our natural world, we must be thoughtful about what we make, how we make it and how we dispose of it (throw it away). At the moment, the waste in New Zealand is separated into two main categories: 1. Recycled items (eg. bottles, cans, paper) and, 2. Non-recycled items (rubbish). Most of the rubbish is collected by rubbish trucks and taken to a rubbish tip (landfill) where it is dumped and never used again. Much of the recycled material is to taken to a place where it is sorted, separated and sent out to be used again.

The idea of reusing materials was taken to a whole new level by a woman named Dame Suzie Moncrieff who, thirty years ago, created an event in New Zealand called the ‘World of WearableArt’ (WOW). WOW takes place in Wellington (and in other cities) every year. Artists from around the world create outfits made entirely from recycled materials.

Let’s imagine that you were invited to this year’s WOW awards and you were able to interview the creator.

On your blog, list five interview questions that you would like to ask Dame Suzie Moncrieff.

Who inspired you to Create these out standing outfits?

What will be your new goals for next year and the year after?

When will be the time you will end this career or when will you finifh designing clothes?

What was the purpose of be a designer?

Do you really like using recycled things?

Activity 2: Guardians of the Sea [4 points]

One of the largest rivers in New Zealand is called the Waikato River. It is found in the central part of the North Island of New Zealand. The river (awa) was given the name ‘Waikato’ (meaning flowing water) by a group of men and women from the Tainui iwi who, legend has it, travelled down the Waikato years ago and settled in the area. According to Māori legend, the Waikato River has hundreds of taniwha (mythical water spirits) living in it, guarding the sea.

Unfortunately, the Waikato River has become polluted in recent years and is, sometimes, closed to the public. This is very upsetting for many people, especially for those who believe that taniwha live in the river. Please click here to read about taniwha and watch this short video about taniwha.

Once you have finished learning about taniwha go to your blog.

On your blog tell us whether, or not, you believe that taniwha exist. Be sure to explain to us why you feel this way.

I don't know but here is my guess people believed there was a big taniwha and which was in a form of a log in close nearby waterways. The way I feel about this is good because people built and trapped the taniwha an that is a big accomplishment. But bad at the same time because i don't know if they killed it but i am pretty sure they killed it that is how i feel about taniwha.

Activity 3: The Sky in Shanghai [10 points]

One day I would really like to travel to China. It is a country with a rich history, vibrant cities, tasty food, and fascinating architecture   (buildings). Unfortunately, some of the largest Chinese cities have high rates of air pollution. The air pollution in Beijing, one of the largest cities in China, can get so bad that roads are closed, flights are cancelled and events are postponed while they wait for the smog in the air to clear. The terrible pollution is also having fatal (deadly) effects as, approximately, 1.1 million people in China died last year from air pollution-related causes. The Chinese government is very concerned and they have introduced a number of strategies (ideas) to reduce the pollution levels. Imagine that you were asked to travel to Beijing. How would you feel?

              

On your blog, write a poem that describes your feelings about travelling to Beijing, China..

Click here for my poem

Week 3 Up, Up, and Away Day: 5

DAY 5: Here to Stay

Activity 1: Persistent Pollution [4 points]

In 2016, the World Health Organisation announced that Timaru, a small town in the South Island of New Zealand, had the highest recorded levels of air pollution in New Zealand. Some of this pollution was caused by natural events (eg. fires) but most of it was produced (made) by humans.

Watch this short video on air pollution. It will tell you more about natural and human causes of pollution.

On your blog, share three new things that you learned about air pollution from this video.

1. If air pollution continues the earth will get hotter and instead of the suns heat go back it is coming in when air pollution continues on and on.
2. Air pollution can cause poeple to lead to death especially the people that its havong hard time to with their breathing.
3.  When are pollution is being released green house gases can make the earth hotter and when it gets hotter ice will melt when ice melt when ice melt the sea levels go higher which can make floods.

Activity 2: Changing Climates [4 points]

Over the past decade, the climate in New Zealand (and around the world) has been changing. In fact, the climate has been getting warmer and warmer. While many of us like warm weather, climate change is not good news. Higher temperatures can cause glaciers to melt (leading to flooding) and increase the amount of rain that falls.

Here in New Zealand, we have noticed the change. In fact, we sometimes have torrential (huge) rain storms causing flooding, landslides and road closures. When it starts to rain really hard, Aronui and I usually hide out in our lounge and play games like Yahtzee, Monopoly and Uno. If it rains all day, we will also spend some time reading, watching movies and baking.

What about you? What do you like to do on a rainy day?  

On your blog, tell us about five things that you like to do when it is too rainy to go outside..

1. A paper plane competitions.
2. When it rains we could play indoor games like monopoly.
3. Play on your Chromebook.
4. Do some work or things you need to finish off.
5. When it rains people could just draw or read or write then calm down and relax.

Activity 3: Let It Rain [10 points]

Over the past few decades, we have seen an increase in the amount of rain that falls here in New Zealand. We are lucky, however, that most of the rain that falls is regular rainwater and not polluted acid rain. Acid rain is rain that has bad chemicals (pollutants) in it. When acid rain hits the ground it can enter the water system, killing plants and animals. Click here to learn more about acid rain.

Let’s imagine that New Zealand was hit by a massive acid rain storm. Acidic rain fell for three days and three nights. When the rain fell, you stayed inside with your friends and family. When it stopped, however, you and your family decided to go for a walk outside. You opened the door and...

On your blog, write a short story about what happened when you opened the door and walked outside after the acid rain storm. To earn full points, you must write a story that is 8 – 10 sentences long.

There was a big acid storm and the news didn't even warn us that it was coming. but they only said one thing " The acid rain will last for 3 days" every one in our family freaked out. most of them were hiding under the bed some under the table and some under chair. when we were looking outside we saw green liquid outside. Then I said it looks green and burning every thing " Watch out you might get burned close the blinds" said my mum. Day 1 and the storm is still going we had breakfast but no power so then we made a fire in the living room. When we had breakfast we played games inside then we heard a loud thunder and everyone jumped and then ran where they were the last time. It was 12.45pm and the rain still carried on and then I said " The news was right it feels long". So then I ran into my room and started to think about what might happen after we look out side then questions came up to my head. What might happen to New Zealand, Will their be any more power but I was just thinking did some people survive this acid rain and then I went to sleep. Day 2 I woke up around 9.30am and looked outside the acid rain was going a little bit slower and then I just notice that it was he second day and I said "I feet happy when it will end after tomorrow I just wanna play outside ". When we had breakfast but the last one we could have because their was not fire wood and when there was no fire would every one was hungry because most of the food are frozen so we had no choice but to eat the last packets of chip in the cupboard. we ate the chips everyone was full when we saw the rain getting slower we started to play games till night time. Then we all went to sleep. It was the 3rd day I saw the rain getting even slower then we had no breakfast this time and everyone agreed with mum. So when the the rain was getting even slower everyone was very excited to get ready to go outside. So we did the same as last time we played games till night board games to. When I woke up the rain was over I opened the door I see every thing melted like our car, trees had no leaves and bushes had no leaves too. I was shocked and that was one of the most horrifying moments of my life.