Stream Ecology

During the week of October 19th, Russ Taylor did us the pleasure of coming to teach our Stream Ecology course. Any class that provides an excuse to get out into the breathtaking beauty that surrounds us is sure to please. Coupled with his knowledge and experience in international development, Russ's stream ecology teachings helped the students to understand the interconnectedness of everything, and that everyday decisions we make have real effects for other people downstream, both literally and figuratively.
The students conducted their own mini research projects, for which they risked flooded rubber boots and damp notebooks in the name of collecting precious data. All involved came away with a more intimate understanding of the way water moves through the landscape, and the many implications that land-use has on that water. Nobody will be able to look at a stream and not think of the multitude of curious creatures that occupy the interstitial spaces, each one eating and reproducing in their own special way.

Environmental Literature

God's Grandeur
by Gerard Manley Hopkins

The world is charged with the grandeur of God.
It will flame out, like shining from shook foil;
It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil
Crushed. Why do men then now not reck his rod?
Generations have trod, have trod, have trod;
And all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil;
And wears man's smudge and shares man's smell: the soil
Is bare now, nor can foot feel, being shod.

And for all this, nature is never spent;
There lives the dearest freshness deep down things;
And though the last lights off the black West went
Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs --
Because the Holy Ghost over the bent
World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings.


(thanks to Heidi for the lovely photo!)

Samoan Psalms

As part of one of our weekly community nights, each small group wrote a "Samoan Psalm". The point was to write a psalm, song, poem, or other work of literary genius using imagery from the place around us. Here they are!


by Sara, Bryant, Catherine, Rachel, Ashley, Hannah
Climbing trees swift and quick
Originated dance smooth and slick
Language with rhythm, with beats, with rhyme
Dancing with fire—so sublime
Gift offering unselfish and pure
Weaving baskets that create such lure
Painting bark with the greatest of ease
Carving from all kinds of trees
Cooking with the earth to feed all around
Hunting to provide for all that are found
Serving to present nothing but love
Music sent from directly above
Hospitality to a perfect stranger
Protection to all in the greatest of danger
In all of these things what do you find
Something spontaneous? Random?
That doesn’t align?
Look a bit deeper in love and kinship
These people are whole, it’s their worship.



by Marcel, Sarah, Matt, Shalisa, Kari, Amanda
(To the tune of Jesus Loves Me)
Jesus made the lava rocks
And the volcanoes on our walks
They are very beautiful
Jesus made them
Wow, he’s cool!

Yes we adore you
In all that we do
You made Samoa
All nature gives you praise

Jesus made the waterfall
And the blowholes that we saw
Oceans deep and waters blue
Life beneath sings praise to you

Jesus’ love is all around
In the faces of this town
Serving others joyfully
It’s through them we see His heart


by Gretchen, Juliette, Laura, Joe, Heidi, Bridget
Psalm of the Samoan Sunset
Praise be to God in the highest
In the highest coconut of the tallest tree
Praise be to God in the lowest
In the lowest starfish of the deep blue sea
Praise be to God in the smallest
In the smallest touch of a newborn baby
Praise be to God in the greatest
In the greatest heart of a Samoan friend

Your power is whispered in the softest breeze
And echoed to all in the pouring rain

Praise be to you oh God, painter of the skies
Our breath is quiet
Our hearts are still


by Nissi, Emma, Rich, Leah
Based on Psalm 23
The Lord is my High Chief, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in the shade of the mango tree. He leads me to the reefs of the Savaii shore. He restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of community for His name’s sake. Though I suffer at the hands of the tattooist, I will fear no pain for You are with me. Your tradition and ava root comfort me. You prepare a feast before me as I do for those of my family. You anoint my waist with a lavalava, my coconut runs over. Surely pigs and roosters will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the fale of the Lord forever and ever. Amen.


by Courtnay, Allison, Rita, Tommy, Anela
Inspired by Psalm 104

Praise the Lord oh my soul
Oh Lord my God you are very great
You are clothed with splendor and majesty
He kindled a fire from the depths of the sea
And she rose up over the water
From the ashes to green,
His sweet Samoa.
As a new day breaks, He paints her sky a deep blue.
She cries in praise, as her eyes turn to the heavens,
Weeping tears of turquoise rain dropping into the ocean.
He covers her with a flowing green dress adorned with
frangipani, hibiscus, and red ginger,
By her side, the lanky coconut tree, its fronds like rain in the wind,
He created a beautiful people to sustain and protect her,
Their music is like a lullaby to her ears, beconihng the night,
He blankets her in a bed of stars,
God’s beautiful creation
His sweet Samoa

Sweet Samoa

taken by Anela

About a week ago we returned from a two week trip to the beautiful country of Samoa! This incredible opportunity gave students and staff a chance to engage with immensly hospitable people and their rich Samoan culture. The first week we stayed at the Safua Hotel where we were serenaded each night by "the band"; where we were shown how food is traditionally cooked in the "umu", and where we were lucky enough to get to hang out with new Samoan friends. We also had the pleasure of following around Warren (an ornery old Australian expat who has lived in Samoa for 25 years). He showed us lava flows, volcanoes, flying foxes, and blowholes. During this time the nursing majors on the trip had a bittersweet experience of missing out on some of the fieldtrips yet getting to see firsthand, Samoa-style healthcare. They were surprised by the comparatively low levels of access to quality treatment but were touched by the immense role that families played in the care of each patient.

For the second week everyone moved to Faga village and got to experience Samoan life a little more personally via homestays. The families treated us like kings and queens by serving us their best food, letting us sleep in the coolest, most beautiful "fales" (beach huts), and even giving us traditional outfits to take home. On the last night we enjoyed exchanging songs with the Samoan young people during the "fiafia", which literally means "happy happy". So full of happiness, new experiences, and coconut milk we returned to the land of kiwis and cooler temperatures never to forget our two weeks in sweet Samoa.

taken by Ashley

taken by Heidi

taken by Heidi

taken by Leah

taken by Amanda