Kids will get to learn about the wild and remote Fiordland coast, a place so geographically isolated, it is one of the least modified parts of mainland New Zealand. That place is Tamatea / Dusky Sound. It has a long and fascinating history: long ago Māori hunted and fished in the area and Captain Cook landed there in 1773; New Zealand's first conservation reserve was set up here in the late 18th century by our first conservation ranger, Richard Henry.

Not far from where you live will be a natural ecosystem. Is it a forest ecosystem, a grassland ecosystem or a marine ecosystem? You are also part of a human ecosystem: is yours a rural or urban ecosystem? Every ecosystem has living parts like plants and animals and nonliving parts such as weather, earth, water, sun, soil, climate and atmosphere.

On this field trip you will join a group working hard to help turn Tamatea / Dusky Sound into one of the most intact ecosystems on Earth. At the same time, you will help create a 'bio bank', a source of endangered native species that can be sent to pest free locations throughout New Zealand. Your adventure in the deep south will give you ideas on how you might work to restore an ecosystem near your place.

The theme is Kaitiakitanga/Guardianship looking at predator control, new technologies, biosecurity, citizen science, sustainable fishery, full utilisation, underwater cleanups, marine reserves as well as invasive species such as Undaria and the multitude of ways we can all play our part in this BIG PICTURE.

Find out how it fits into the NZ curriculum on the LEARNZ website..