Sustaining the Natural Environment
This page here looks at sustaining the natural environment and different ways that people have managed to achieve this. This page also looks at the Orokonui Eco-sanctuary and demonstrates how this project aims to promote the sustainable use of an environment.
New Zealand has a number of wild life Eco-sanctuaries - The Karori Eco-sanctuary, Motoihe Island Eco-sanctuary and perhaps the most well known Eco-sanctuary - the Orokonui Eco-sanctuary.
If you get the chance to visit the Orokonui Eco-sanctuary prior to reading this page you will gain a much better understanding of the project and what it aims to achieve. The Orokonui Eco-sanctuary is the only place on the South Island of New Zealand where native birds, animals and insects can live a life safe from predators. The sanctuary is surrounded by a 8.7km pest proof fence which protects 307 hectares. Almost every pest has been eradicated from the Eco-sanctuary which means that a number of endangered species have been able to be introduced into the environment. Only these days native birds find their own way into the sanctuary and make their homes.
Activity 1
The aim of this unit is to understand how people interact with natural and cultural environments and that this interaction has consequences. The unit standard covered is AS91009 1.3 - Demonstrate geographic understanding of the sustainable use of an environment. Your task is to research into the Orokonui Eco-sanctuary as well as using the knowledge you have gained while visiting the sanctuary to list a number of ways that this Eco-sanctuary promotes the sustainable use of an environment.
Activity 2
Once you have completed Activity 1 your task is to list all of the positives and negatives of the Eco-sanctuary and list a number of consequences that may of arisen dues to this interaction with the natural environment. Use a chart such as the one below to list all of your points. Work in a group or in pairs to gather your information. Once you have gathered all of the information that you can you need to share it with the class. Be prepared to write down any new points that others may of brought up.
Sustainable use of the environment
Here are some ways that I think the Orokonui Eco-sanctuary promotes the sustainable use of an environment.
BUILDING WITH LOCAL AND RECYCLABLE MATERIAL
- Building built from Macrocarpa which was taken from the Eco-sanctuary itself.
- Also built from Rimu recycled from a town hall in a neighboring settlement.
- Plywood from sustainably grown plantation trees.
- recycled shipping containers have been used in the building.
CONSERVING WATER & ENERGY
- The rainwater that falls at Orokonui is all collected and stored.
- Waste water treated and then used to irrigate plants.
- Visitor Center makes the most of the sun.
- Large windows face north for maximum sunlight and the concrete floors hold heat from the sun.
- Solar panels heat the water.
ENCOURAGING GOOD HABITS
- Re-use, recycle and reduce waste
- Compost most organic material
- Cycle racks to encourage less vehicle use
- Grey water treated.
- Where heating & lighting is required they are energy efficient.
BUILDING WITH LOCAL AND RECYCLABLE MATERIAL
- Building built from Macrocarpa which was taken from the Eco-sanctuary itself.
- Also built from Rimu recycled from a town hall in a neighboring settlement.
- Plywood from sustainably grown plantation trees.
- recycled shipping containers have been used in the building.
CONSERVING WATER & ENERGY
- The rainwater that falls at Orokonui is all collected and stored.
- Waste water treated and then used to irrigate plants.
- Visitor Center makes the most of the sun.
- Large windows face north for maximum sunlight and the concrete floors hold heat from the sun.
- Solar panels heat the water.
ENCOURAGING GOOD HABITS
- Re-use, recycle and reduce waste
- Compost most organic material
- Cycle racks to encourage less vehicle use
- Grey water treated.
- Where heating & lighting is required they are energy efficient.
Activity 3
After playing the above video (above) and checking out the website for the Karori Eco-sanctuary (below), chat with your classmates and discuss how this sanctuary differs from Orokonui. Suggest any positive and negative differences as well as suggesting things that Orokonui could implement to better promote the sustainable use of an environment. Use a chart like the one below.