Real or fake? The debate over Christmas trees continues this festive season but an environmental expert from Bay of Plenty Polytechnic says real trees are more ‘green than reusing an artificial tree.
It was a long way to come here. I decided that New Zealand would give me the best combination of quality and cost.
I had an offer for a 1 year Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Management from a New Zealand university. I had no previous experience and needed to cover all the steps so decided the 2 year Diploma at BOPP was better for me. It was the right decision.
Tauranga is safe, clean, and convenient. It’s definitely not boring. I love the Pacific Ocean and the parks and nature. You have heaps of places to visit.
"I have worked with the Environmental Management students since 2002 and I teach the Biosurveying modules – where students learn various surveying (flora, fauna and pests), risk management and safety skills in the bush. I am a contractor for various organisations including the Department of Conservation, specialising in fauna surveying and pest management.
Martin Slimin is no stranger to the outdoors. Ever since he can remember, he’s spent his free time in the bush; alpine climbing throughout New Zealand and as far away as The Alps in Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Austria. His passion for the environment has its roots in his love of the outdoors, and his interest in conservation, he believes, has been a natural progression.
"I've been teaching the Diploma in Environmental Management at the Polytechnic since 2003. Prior to that I lived in Shillong, India, and I completed an MSc in botany and a PhD in plant ecology there.
I've taught terrestrial ecology at tertiary level for a number of years and my interests are centered around terrestrial ecosystems, particularly plant ecology, and biodiversity and conservation biology."
