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The aim of EMR is to raise awareness, understanding and involvement in marine conservation through provision of dynamic experiential environmental education opportunities.

Experiencing Marine Reserves (EMR) is a national programme of experiential learning about marine conservation.  The programme is under the auspices of the Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust. EMR’s independence, professional delivery, marine reserves focus and provision of a range of learning styles make it unique within New Zealand .  Since its introduction in Northland in 2002, programme uptake has continued to increase throughout the country.  The Department of Conservation (DOC) is a foundation partner of the Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust, and has supported the development of the EMR programme since 2002.The Tindall Foundation now also supports the programme’s national expansion.

Learning Outcomes:

• Give at least 3 examples of New Zealand marine biodiversity & explain what a marine reserve is.
• Explain & use snorkel equipment
•   Describe their local marine area and what lives in it.
• Identify & classify some of the marine creatures that they see.
• Make comparisons between the marine reserve and their local marine area
•  Base their opinions about the value of marine reserves on their personal experiences and action what they have learnt in their community.

Main Curriculum Links:

• Science – Living World, Ecology and evolution
• Social Science
•  Health & PE  

What EMR coordinators provide (for free)*:

• Explain how the learning outcomes will be achieved.
• Provide marine education resources
•   Deliver a marine biodiversity and conservation presentation to the class.
•   Work in partnership with you to coordinate and organize field trips.
• Provide safety management and briefings/leadership on field trips.
•   Provide snorkeling equipment and instruction for water activities.
• Provide RAMS forms for snorkeling water activities.
• Provide emergency procedures template for water activity. 

*subject to funding availability

What you do (as a teacher):

• Provide adequate parental/community supervision for field activities (EMR recommends 1:2 ratio, and can help identify community support for supervision on request)
• Provide student participation consents, swimming ability, medical conditions and permission for EMR use of student images/footage
• Provide appropriate support for students with special needs
•  Review the snorkeling risk management template provided and seek approval from Board of Trustees
• Risk management planning for all activities other than snorkeling
• Provide first aid kit
• Cover costs associated with transport, food, accommodation and optional glass bottom boat ride. EMR Northland requires $1 per student per field trip.

The Action

The action component of the EMR programme is an essential factor in the students learning process and one which helps us to assess the effectiveness of the programme at meeting the projected learning and conservation outcomes.  By encouraging students to undertake action, that is based on their own experience, EMR aims to empower students and encourage support for marine conservation.