Sustainable use of an environment

Dairy farming in New Zealand began from small beginnings during the early days of colonisation by Europeans. The New Zealand dairy industry is based almost exclusively on cattle, with a total population of 4.8 million milking cows as of 2017. The income from dairy farming is now a major part of the New Zealand economy, becoming an NZ$13.4 billion industry by 2017. However economic success comes at a price: extensive pollution of waterways and The production by cattle of methane gas equivalent to a third of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emission.

Dairy farming in New Zealand aspires to sustainable development, requiring "three pillars of sustainability”, to be addressed: environmental, social and economic. This module includes a visit to a  Dairy Farm where the farmer is milking fewer cows, working less and making a lot more money. He's also planted hundreds of trees, fenced off waterways, and drastically reduced his vet bills. It's good news for everyone: farmers, animals, environment and consumers.

Choice of activities

• Take a walk into New Zealand sub-tropical rain forest for an insight into how the landscape was changed by human settlement.
• Visit and tour a dairy farm: an opportunity to understand the systems and processes of dairy farming.
• Discuss outputs, particularly negative ones, in relation to their effect on the environment, and mitigation. 
• Examine structures and strategies, eg. effluent ponds, fences, riparian planting and nutrient budgeting, aimed at making the dairy farm more sustainable.
• Plant trees as a contribution to wetland rehabilitation or a riparian strip.
• Carry out water testing (clarity, conductivity, macrofauna etc. as indicators of water quality).
• Discuss herd management to maximize production efficiency and reduce the environmental impact.

New Zealand Certificate of Educational Achievement

Geography

• AS 91009 1.3 Demonstrate geographic understanding of the sustainable use of an environment.
• AS 91011 1.5 Conduct geographic research, with direction.

FAQ

Q1. Why do teachers choose to tour with Learning Journeys?

Using an outside provider like Learning Journeys allows you to avoid stress and save time to focus on the core demands of teaching and have more time with your family and friends.

• Trips are well tried and tested and our local knowledge, New Zealand-wide, is extensive. • We’ll facilitate your trip as well as planning, recce-ing AND booking it (including transport, food and accommodation). Have as much or as little input as you want.
• Our facilitators are secondary geography or science teachers with years of classroom as well as EOTC experience.
• Trips are curriculum linked and can include NCEA assessment tasks.
• RAMS forms, parents letters, gear lists and worksheets developed and provided for you.
• We’re Qualmarked (Tourism New Zealand has checked us out as a safe, professional, company) and Dept. of Conservation approved.

Q2. Does it cost more for Learning Journeys to organise and run my school's science and geography trips?

Yes it does cost a little more per student. However, you need to factor in the time you'll save by using Learning Journeys. You will also save the cost of relief for staff who would otherwise have come from your school, since Learning Journeys will provide one or more facilitators who will contribute to staff-student ratios.

Q3. What about risk management?

Safety is always paramount in our trip planning and delivery. We are acutely aware of the responsibility of being entrusted with other people’s children. We will provide you with RAMS forms for all activities included in your programme.

Our Health and Safety Plan deals with every aspect of our operations and training. Hazard identification is carried out for every new activity and a RAMS (Risk Analysis and Management System) form is prepared. This process has been audited both by a Department of Conservation approved Safety Auditor and as part of our Qualmark® accreditation

Our teacher-facilitators are trained in safe practice and all have First Aid qualifications. The suppliers we use are fully qualified and experienced in their specialist areas and where available we choose to work with Qualmarked® operators. Their sound safety records are further guaranteed by the Qualmark®, accreditation process.
Qualmark® is New Zealand tourism's official mark of quality. All accommodation and tourism businesses carrying the Qualmark® have been independently assessed as professional and trustworthy, so you can book and buy with confidence.

Q4. Who are your facilitators?

Our trips are managed and facilitated by qualified science or social science secondary teachers with classroom experience as well as many years’ experience in the field.

Q5. How long have you been running field trips for New Zealand secondary students?

Since 2001. Our oldest client did 12 consecutive yearly 3 day trips to Goat Island and Tiritiri Matangi Island. Most other schools repeat trips year after year.