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PEGASUS POST Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz Thursday <strong>January</strong> <strong>28</strong> <strong>2021</strong> 5 Learn how to minimise waste • From page 1 “It’s a great learning opportunity and students come away with a better understanding of the importance of waste reduction and recovering resources rather than disposing of them to landfill.’’ Other free city council Learning Through Action programmes focus on sustainability, climate change, biodiversity, geology, water conservation, Civil Defence and local government. “With all of the programmes, the goal is to provide students with authentic, hands-on learning opportunities,’’ said Russell. Students examine stream invertebrates as part of the Fresh Water Frolicking programme. For example, students go ponddipping to identify a range of stream invertebrates and explore the wider food chains and life cycles. They consider the importance of freshwater biodiversity and investigate the impact of human choices on the sustainability of our eco-systems. In the Native Nurturing programme, students explore the contrasting landscapes of the Port Hills at Victoria Park. They discover how the unique Port Hills environment has changed over time and take a multisensory walk through podocarp forest. The students get up close and personal with pests to consider PRACTICAL: Mairehau High School students will get handson lessons this year on how to minimise their waste. PHOTO: NEWSLINE their impact on native and endemic species, and they have the opportunity to learn about tracking and trapping methods used by park rangers. “In the past five years we have worked with around 200 schools in Christchurch, helping them give their students learning experiences outside the classroom,’’ said Russell. “Last year 7<strong>28</strong>3 students from more than 70 schools participated in our Learning Through Action programmes. That is fewer than in previous years due to the COVID-19 lockdown. In a typical year between 10,000 and 11,000 students benefit from our programmes.’’ Challenge to get people cycling SIGN language interpreter and mother-of-two Amy Hewgill loves taking her kids for a spin on her bike. “I find it far more relaxing than going by car and the kids really enjoy the ride. We chat about the things we see along the way and it is lots of fun,’’ she said. Hewgill is one of thousands to participate in the Aotearoa Bike Challenge, which takes off next month. Organised by the New Zealand Transport Agency, Love to Ride and the city council, the challenge is a free competition that encourages people to experience first-hand the joys and benefits of riding a bike. Workplaces, clubs and groups can take part in the challenge, earning points for every person they sign-up and for every kilometre, and every day, that participants ride. People can also sign up for the challenge as individuals. Hewgill has taken part for the past two years and was keen to clock-up more consecutive days on her bike this time around. Amy Hewgill She took up cycling about four years ago after the birth of her second child because she wanted to get fit. Now she’s hooked, using her bike regularly to take her kids to school and pre-school before journeying onto work. Last year, Christchurch companies dominated the Aotearoa Bike Challenge workplace competition, scoring more points than other workplaces of comparable size in nearly all seven categories. The city council won the category nationally for workplaces that employ 2000 or more staff. Almost 1000 of those who took part were new to cycling. “The Aotearoa Bike Challenge is a fun way to encourage people to get on a bike and give cycling a go,’’ said city council head of transport Richard Osborne. “You don’t have to commit to anything more than one 10-minute bike ride, but you might find that you really enjoy the exercise and the fresh air and it may become something that you do regularly.” Before you paint your bargeboards call us about disconnecting the power 03 363 9898 | 0800 363 9898 oriongroup.co.nz Getting in there with that paintbrush around live power lines is very dangerous. Call us about disconnecting the power, it might cost a bit more, but it could well save your life. You’re our priority. Orion operates, and maintains, the electricity distribution network that provides power to central Canterbury. We are always here to help if you have any questions or concerns about the network.