Year 11 Geography students are investigating whether land use on the Taieri Plains, and at Macraes Flat, is sustainable.

Last Friday, 55 Year 11 Geography students travelled around the district to investigate how different groups use different environments.

Our first stop was to Oceana Gold's Macraes mine, where Mr Gavin Lee talked to students about their mining operation.  Of particular interest was all that Oceana Gold does to rehabilitate the land back to pasture and native tussock, ready for its next use.  Another main focus is ensuring biodiversity, such as with the local skink populations, giving them new rocky habitats to thrive in.  

The bus continued through Middlemarch to The Gums dairy farm near Outram.  Year 11 students have been visiting The Gums since 1989, with a Columba family connection that we are very grateful for. Mr Andrew Aitken showed the students his dairy operation, again looking at what he does to ensure the sustainability of his farm for the future.  A cow was calving while we were there, which did cause some excitement, although she was a little shy and chose to wait until we had moved away to deliver her calf.  

We really appreciate the time taken by Mr Lee and Mr Aitken to talk to our students. Seeing environments and activities in the field is such a valuable tool to help with student engagement and understanding. We would also like to thank Mr Nick Moore for accompanying us on the trip, we really appreciate you taking the time to come along.