Join us on a tour of the inland saline ecosystem at Chapman Road Scientific Reserve to see what happens when geology, climate, and oceans intertwine, and discover the surprising role that historic gold mining has played in this extraordinary geoecological story.

Geologist Sophie Briggs from the University of Otago will unravel the mystery of how these unique ‘salt pans’ came to be, and share what we’ve learned from investigations carried out by local schools participating in the Project Salt programme.

At first glance, inland saline ecosystems may look like barren wastelands. Look a little closer and you’ll see a hidden world of small and beautiful salt-tolerant plants and invertebrates thriving in these seemingly inhospitable conditions.

The tour is limited to a maximum of 25 participants, so booking is essential. Directions to the site and parking details are provided upon confirmation of your reservation.