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Connect with biodiversity experts

<- Homepage: Bioblitz: What's in your backyard?

Experts and web conferences

Replay web conferences

The following questions are answered by Brad and Nancy in the first podcast below.

  1. Charlotte. What is the weirdest bug you would find in your backyard?
  2. Ashton. How many species of bees are there in NZ?
  3. Nada - Why are some wasps pests?
  4. Mia. How many species of preying mantis are there?
  5. Logan. How many species of butterflies in NZ?
  6. Ashton. How many NZ ants are there?
  7. JJ - What does the Mt Somers weta eat?
  8. Josh-have you ate a bug on purpose before?
  9. Room 9 : How can we improve our biodiversity at our school?
  10. Shona: What do you think is the most interesting insect in NZ?
  11. Anna? What types of animals would you find in your back yard?
  12. Shona: We know the bullet ant has a horrible sting! What would be the most poisonous or venomous insect in NZ?
  13. Lachie: what NZ bugs are at the top and bottom of the food chain?
  14. Reanna : what is the rarest animal in NZ?
  15. nicb : Are there any bee species that can kill humans in NZ?
  16. student : what is the most harmful pest to our enviroment?
  17. Logun:how many native insects are there in NZ?
  18. Shona: What is the most common insect in NZ?
  19. Room 11 : Hudson : what is your favourite bug in NZ and why?
CORE Education · LEARNZ Bioblitz podcast 1 of 3

The following questions are answered by Ian and Nancy in the second podcast below

  1. What is the coolest name a native animal has? Dasha
  2. How many BioBlitz have been done in New Zealand and for how many years? Yukina and Arina
  3. Why are BioBlitz useful? Lulu
  4. How many different animals do you think a BioBlitz in Ō Tū Wharekai will find? Dasha
  5. When is the best time of the year to do a BioBlitz and why? Lulu
  6. How do you know if an animal is a native when you see it? Kahukura
  7. How long can it take to find an animal in the BioBlitz? Do they move during it?
  8. Do you think you would find some of the same animals and plants if you did a BioBlitz here in Johnsonville?
  9. Do you repeat a BioBlitz to see if it things have changed?
CORE Education · LEARNZ Bioblitz podcast 2 of 3

The following questions are answered by Damien and Nancy in the third podcast below

  1. What is your favourite part of the BioBlitz? (Ciara)
  2. What predators do ants have (Bayley)
  3. Which animal found on the BioBlitz is likely to survive the longest? (Nico)
  4. If you stood still for an hour how many birds would you see? (Isla)
  5. How many different types of toadstools and mushrooms are there? (Maggie)
  6. Which animals are the rarest on the BioBlitz? (Elliot)
  7. What are the lines underneath the mushrooms? (Sadie)
  8. How long does a BioBlitz take? Do you stay out camping overnight? (Grace and Danny)
  9. How long does it take to find something on a BioBlitz? (Payton)
CORE Education · LEARNZ Bioblitz podcast 3 of 3

Meet the experts

Meet Brad, DOC ranger.

Brad is a DOC Ranger, Services (Biodiversity) Kaitiaki-Kanorau Koiora. He has a BSc in Zoology and over 20 years of experience with DOC. Brad has worked on Mana and Kāpiti Islands, Tararuas, West Coast, and now is based in Geraldine working on the Ō Tū Wharekai Ashburton Lakes Wetland Restoration. Brad enjoys getting out in big country as part of his job and he loves hunting, fishing, tramping, dogs, and wetland restoration.

Meet Nancy, Biodiversity ranger at DOC

Nancy's job as a biodiversity ranger with DOC involves monitoring of native and introduced flora and fauna, habitat restoration, predator control, wildlife response and working with community groups. Nancy says the best parts of her job are getting to work with endangered species, going to amazing locations and meeting other people who are passionate about conservation and environmental protection.

Meet Ian, Senior biodiversity ranger at DOC

Ian has a MSc (hons) in Zoology from University of Auckland and is Senior Ranger Biodiversity with DOC. He first worked for couple of years as a zookeeper then six years working for DOC with threatened species such as kakī, mohua, kākā, robust grasshopers, Haast tokoeka, pāteke, hihi and kōkako. Then another 15 years back at Auckland Zoo in a range of roles including Curator of NZ Fauna and Field Conservation Manager. The favourite part of Ian's job is feeling like he's helping look after NZ wildlife and working with a great bunch of people who also care about NZ wildlife.

Meet Damien, Biodiversity ranger at DOC

Damien's job is helping to deliver the biodiversity programme for the Geraldine District. He has a background in professional pest control mainly but a few other roles as well. Damien loves working with people and flying in helicopters. Outside of work Damien is interested in hunting, food gathering, rugby and rugby league.

Science careers

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