Embedded Files
BSH 1.1 - Environmental Care
BSH 1.1 - Environmental Care
The environment dominates or influences nearly every aspect of New Zealand's national life. New Zealanders are an outdoor-loving people, with a way of life that is shaped around action and interaction with the environment. Many New Zealanders regularly walk in parks, visit the coast, swim or fish in rivers or lakes, and play outdoor sports (Phillips, 2007).
Māori Environmental Values
Māori Environmental Values
The Polynesian ancestors of the Māori people came to New Zealand by canoe between 1000 AD and 1350 AD. After Polynesian settlement, fire had a more widespread and frequent impact on the environment. By about 1600 AD, about a third of the original forest cover had been cleared and replaced by tussock, bracken, and light scrub. With the change in landscape, a quarter of New Zealand's native land-based birds, including eight species of moa, and a fifth of native seabirds became extinct (Ministry for the Environment, 1997).
In Māori terms, all living things, including natural and physical resources, possess a mauri (life principle or life force). The mana (authority or prestige) of the people is closely related to how well they manage their highly valued resources, and how successfully they preserve mauri. Therefore, each iwi has responsibilities and obligations for environmental management in its own area (Ministry for the Environment, 2007).
Watch a quick video to help you with your understanding...
Caring For The Environment - Fire
Caring For The Environment - Fire
Whenever you are going out in the environment and wanting to light a fire, the first thing to do is to check whether you are allowed to light one in your area. You can do this by checking the National Fire and Emergency's specific website at www.checkitsalright.nz.
You do not want to light a fire in high winds, as the embers can travel and start a forest fire. You should always try and use an existing fire pit as this reduces your impact on the environment.
When you light a fire, there are three things that are needed for a fire: Fuel, Oxygen, and Heat.
Fuel - for a fire there are three types of wood used to make a fire: Tinder, Kindling, and Firewood. Tinder is what you use to start the fire. Kindling is slightly bigger pieces (about the diameter of your finger) also used to aid starting a fire. The large pieces (about the diameter of your wrist) is used to fuel the fire.
Oxygen - this is needed in order for the fire to thrive, so do not smother your fire.
Heat - ensure that there is enough fuel and oxygen to keep your fire alive.
When out camping, make sure that you store non-used firewood well away from the fire and plan ahead so that you do not add too much firewood so that it can burn down to embers before you go to sleep.
Never leave your fire unattended and douse the embers with water before you break camp.
Watch the video below to get an idea of what to do...
Caring For The Environment - Rubbish
Caring For The Environment - Rubbish
New Zealanders are rightly concerned about the waste we are producing as a country. It is one of the big areas of focus for the Ministry for the Environment. Waste is polluting our land, our lakes and rivers, and our coasts and oceans. It contributes 5% of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions.
Here are six ways that you can leave no trace behind when you are out camping:
Dispose of Waste Properly - Pack in, Pack out
Travel and Camp on Durable Ground
Minimise the Effects of Fire
Respect Wildlife and Farm Animals - Do not feed or chase them
Be Considerate of Others
Leave What You Find - Take Only Photos, Leave Only Footprints
Feel free to learn more from the video below...
Ten Point Environmental Checklist
Ten Point Environmental Checklist
The following is a checklist to remember whenever you are out in the environment:
Protect Plants and Animals - Treat New Zealand's forest and birds with care and respect. They are unique and often rare.
Remove Rubbish - litter is unattractive, harmful to wildlife and can increase vermin and disease. Plan your visits to reduce rubbish, and carry out what you carry in.
Bury Toilet Waste - In areas without toilet facilities, bury your toilet waste in a shallow hole well away from waterways, tracks, campsites and huts.
Keep Streams and Lakes Clean - When cleaning and washing, take the water and wash well away from the water source. Soaps and detergents are harmful to water-life, drain used water into the soil to allow it to be filtered. If you suspect that the water may be contaminated, either boil it for at least 3 minutes, or filter it, or chemically treat it.
Take Care with Fires - Portable fuel stoves are less harmful to the environment and are more efficient than fires. If you do use a fire, keep it small, use only dead wood and make sure it is out by dousing it with water and checking the ashes before leaving.
Camp Carefully - When camping, leave no trace of your visit.
Keep to the Track - By keeping to the track, where one exists, you lessen the chance of damaging fragile plants.
Consider Others - People visit the back-country and rural areas for many reasons. Be considerate of other visitors who also have the right to enjoy the natural environment.
Respect Our Cultural Heritage - Many places in New Zealand have a spiritual and historical significance. Treat these places with consideration and respect.
Enjoy Your Visit - Enjoy your outdoor experience. Take a last look before leaving an area; will the next visitor know that you have been there?
Page updated
Report abuse