Tuesday 9th brought wet weather and cloudy skies for our Take Action For Water Field Trip. It didn’t mean that Room 23 from Muritai School couldn’t go. The T.A.F.W Program was supplied by the Greater Wellington Regional Council for schools around Wellington. We were very lucky to have the opportunity to learn about our waterways and natural ecosystem.
We first arrived at the Rimutaka Forest Park in Wainuimata at about 10am. Room 23 split into 2 groups. Group Two went for a bush walk up the catchment for an informational talk, while Group One tested the stream and identifies aquatic insects. The information on the forest walk was based around the native birds of New Zealand, which we then had to identify the birds as we walked, eg: tui, fantail, grey warbler etc. We also learnt about the kawakawa plant. The leaves could be burnt for insects repellent, to settle your stomach and also used to make tea. When Group 2 arrived back at the main venue, we then rotated with the other group and went to do stream testing.
We tested the Catchpool Stream, located at the middle area of the catchment. Group 2 first tested the stream habitat, looking at the stream bed, algae, stream shade and the bank stability. This determined the habitat’s condition, which was excellent. We then examined the insects of the stream with the samples that Richard, our guide, collected earlier. We found that there were mayflies, stoneflies and cased caddisflies, which was considered excellent. One person even discovered a banded kokopu hiding under a rock. Group 2 then tested the water quality, using thermometers and clarity tubes to define the water’s clarity.
Both groups met back at the main venue for lunch. Afterwards we went back onto the bus and headed for the second stream. This stream was in Wainuimata also, called Black Creek. The standard at which the stream was, both in habitat and water quality, was very poor. We didn’t test the water, but just from a look we knew it was very polluted. There were no animals present apart from a few ducks, but guessed that the only water inhabitant would be worms and snails. There was even a broken scooter at the bottom and lots of stormwater drains and piping. Everybody was disgusted at the quality of the stream.
We headed back to school on the bus at about 1:50, and settled down in class for silent reading. Our homework that we had been given was based around the field trip. We had to draw up a healthy and dirty stream and name the key points. There was a Vienn Diagram to complete listing the differences and similarities of Rimutaka Catchpool and Black Creek. the field trip was a great experience because we got to learn a lot about the habitat of a catchment.
Report by Holly and Ina.
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