Started off our day with a lecture Dr. Meurk at the Landcare Research facility. Covered topics on the unique biota of New Zealand and how community efforts have been made to protect native species.
After getting an early start, we arrived at the Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research facility where Dr. Colin Meurk lectured on the species and ecology of New Zealand. He showed us many of the native species and gave us an overview of the reasons that many have struggled to survive in an environment touched by humans and the exotic species they have introduced to the islands. Among these are the tuatara, a reptile that has a lifespan of up to 120 years, the now extinct moa, a large ostrich-like bird driven to extinction by human hunting, and the iconic kiwi which has been threatened by predation that had not been present in the once predator free New Zealand.
Dr. Meurk describes how predator-proof fencing functions outside of Riccarton Bush.
Dr. Meurk described the physical properties of many native species while we walked through Riccarton Bush.
After stopping for a lunch of meat pies and a salad sandwich, we headed into downtown Christchurch where Dr. Meurk showed us the various species that have been able to survive in the rubble of the buildings damaged by an earthquake two years ago. This "Greening the Rubble" project was designed mainly to cheer up an urban population reeling from the quake. The central business district piqued our interest with its strange crossing walk noises and the remarkable level of incorporation of the native species such as lancewood and lemonwood into the built environment.
Street art in Downtown Christchurch. Despite the stress and disruption of the urban environment, many herbaceous species have found success.
Looking down on the wooden staircases of the Turanga Central Library downtown.
Before leaving the city center, we passed the partially destroyed cathedral, another victim of the earthquake. We then visited the public Turanga Public Library. The top floor there offered excellent views of the city center in the foreground with the mountains in the distance. We ended our time in the city center by visiting the "Cardboard Cathedral", whose foundations are formed from reinforced cardboard and featured a tribute to the victims of the earthquake. All told it was an excellent day and we are looking forward to our restoration tomorrow. - Sheamus
Said view.
The ruined side of the cathedral, now an excellent perch for the city's many birds.
The view from inside the "Cardboard Cathedral."
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