Are you doing what you love? Are you loving what you do? Here’s an update from a local NJ student making sure he does just that!
Hey Guys at NJ Trash Clothing,
Let me just say thanks for sponsoring me, this experience in New Zealand
is by far the best I’ve had my whole life. It’s true when people say NZ
is the adrenaline capitol of the world, I’ve already been bungee jumping
off the second highest in the world (Nevis), and snowboarding at
Treblecone amongst the clouds in the Southern Alps, but what I’ve taken
from this trip so far is more intangible than all of those exciting
things. The character I’ve built while here, more than anything else
prior, has made me a better student, friend, citizen, and most
importantly had made me grow as a young man.
During my two week conservation project (Kuaka) near Tauranga has made me realize what can be achieved by teamwork. I’ve been on sports teams my
whole life, and am in a fraternity as well, which both up until now have
made me appreciate team work. The work I’ve been doing here, however,
exceeds all other teams or groups I’ve participated in. Our biggest
achievements were at Tect Park where we all worked to plant 1200 native
plants in the park that includes; 4×4 trails, mountain biking trails, an
ecological reserve, and recreation areas. All of these activities
included in one park demonstrates the balance between nature and
recreation that the people in NZ hope to achieve in an effort for
conservation.
So what is conservation about in NZ and why is it so important? NZ was
created by the convergence of two tectonic plates (Pacific and
Australian), which has made it famous for its natural beauty. This
convergence also made the original ecology of the Islands very unique;
with no mammalian predators birds became the land dwelling animals. These islands were so safe for the birds the Kiwi Bird, NZ’s iconic symbol, has evolved to have no breast plate to protect its organs because it was not
hunted. When the first humans came to NZ, only 1000 years ago, they
brought with them predators. This lead to a cascade of problems for the
plants and animals of the Islands. Before human inhabitation 90% of NZ
was covered by bush, now only a mere 20% of that land is left due to
deforestation. As a result many of the birds who have co-revolutionized
with these bush and trees have become nearly extinct.
The introduction of invasive species in NZ by humans is the root of the
problem and the reason why I’m here doing conservation work. It might
sound weird, but what conservation means in NZ is extermination (of
invasive plants and animals)and regeneration of native species. Most of
the work I have been doing is regeneration.
The phrase often used in NZ is “Appreciation leads to Conservation” and I
have learned to thoroughly understand the meaning of this in my time here.
The Dept. of Conservation being the most underfunded department in the
nation means a lot of the conservation work done is completed by
students, like myself, who have come from all parts of the globe to help
regenerate this beautiful place. People I’ve worked with clearing and
planting plots of land are: elementary school children for Greenpark
Elementary, elderly folk from The Village, and mentally challenged from
The Avalon. These three experiences working with this wide range of
people was the most character building experience of my life. If these
groups who are, for the most part, physically incapable of completing some
of the work, are willing to help me out just shows the commitment this
country has to conservation. This really opened my mind and motivated my
group to put in our greatest efforts. The rewards were priceless as well as
spending time with these people.
With this knowledge and experience behind me now, I’m currently traveling
the country with the rest of the Kuaka group to the sickest places in NZ.
Without the first two weeks bonding with my group and learning about
conservation and NZ culture these final two weeks would have meant
nothing. This trip had helped me to realize just how beautiful life can
be and how doing what seems to be so little can make such a difference to
the people around you. Once again thank you for your contributions.
Peace and Love,Colin Mossbrucker
