John Longden Field Leader
John grew up in New Zealand. He brings to EcoQuest 27 years experience in outdoor education, guiding, and skills training. John has been an Eco-tourism operator and also a wilderness explorer, serving as team leader on numerous expeditions around the world. He is experienced in field mapping and orienteering. John holds certifications as a NZ Mountain Safety Council Bushcraft instructor and assessor and as a Risk Management instructor. He is an Outdoor First Aid instructor certified by the Mountain Safety Council, and holds CAT 1 and 2 Certificates in Adult Teaching. John is also an Abseiling 2 instructor with a qualification in Kayaking. John has served as an instructor at Mercury Bay Community College for Conservation Corps and Nature Tourism, as a youth worker and counselor in various re-training programmes for at risk youth. He is a Men's Education Network leader in "Living Without Violence" and has served as a contractor to the Department of Conservation conducting weed inventory and control, and vegetation and wildlife surveys.
John's responsibilities at EcoQuest include skills training (including kayaking, compass use and map reading) and as a field leader. He focuses primarily on field exercises and Directed Research Projects related to terrestrial ecosystems. John shares the responsibility to ensure the safety and smooth running of field exercises and extended field trips. John's extensive knowledge of field survey techniques enables him to take on a leading role in most field components of the EcoQuest programmes. John takes on the role of student liaison in Sally's absence.