The Aquavan brings live marine critters and touch pools to schools and communities, to create awareness and understanding of the connectivity between river health and the coastal environment.
Specially designed to transport marine species, the van is equipped with chilled re-circulating seawater tanks and a mobile touch tank to support hands-on learning.
Discovering our coastal connections schools programme
The Aquavan has been visiting river catchments in Southern New Zealand with a focus on river catchment regions in Otago, Southland and Canterbury.
The programme focuses on the connectivity between river health and the coastal environment using live animals, scientific equipment, enviroscapes and Storymap.
Handling live specimens from the touch tank.
Viewing the marine critters up close!
School pupils learn about the creation of farm runoff and its effects on marine life.
Discovering our Coastal Connections
While local issues of river health are gaining awareness in NZ, the flow-on effect of deteriorating catchments on the marine ecosystem is 'out-of-sight, out-of-mind' for inland communities. However land use is strongly linked to water quality. Mismanagement of land can result in increased sedimentation, agrochemical point source pollution, reduced stream flow, and habitat degradation. These all contribute towards the severe depletion of the ecosystem services that our catchments provide. Increased awareness and understanding and improve management practices can make a difference to our waterways.
The Aquavan, with its recirculating seawater system, travels from sea to source to ignite community interest in learning more about their river catchment. Bringing live marine critters and science investigations to inland schools creates awareness and understanding of the connectivity between river health and the coastal environment in a dynamic and hands-on way. The marine animals and plants provide a focus for discovery learning and stimulus for discussion about environmental issues and responsibilities.
The programme has strong emphasis on empowering communities to regain their roles as guardians of their environment. Participants gain science understanding of the issues affecting their catchment and develop skills in environmental monitoring and knowledge mapping. Participation in environmental action highlights what they can do on a local level to improved environmental conditions.
Working alongside the wider community allows for local knowledge and skills to be profiled and creates opportunities for further engagement around both issues and solutions. Through work with artists, iwi and interest groups we hope to grow community interest and capacity for environmental action.
Making use of the Touch Tank.