‘The simplicity of nature is God’s invitation to serenity.’
David Moore
Acknowledgements
Observing New Zealand’s pristine land features, breath-taking mountains, native forests, rivers, lakes, beaches and ocean vistas over three decades of tramping has given EcoQuest a unique frame of reference.
Special appreciation is given to the Department of Conservation for making this beautiful country’s backcountry tracks and huts accessible.
My appreciation to Catherine Rawlinson for her watchful eye, attention to detail and advice for editing the text of this website.
To Fiona Kerrigan New of Kerrigan Creative, who has meticulously woven her artistic expertise throughout the EcoQuest material and has captured a masterful portrayal of nature in motion. Thank you.
My gratitude to David Talamo of Wilderness Reflections for providing an excellent training programme in Eco-Therapy during 2020/21.
‘David is not only the Bear Grylls of nature-based therapy but a grand master in eco-therapy enlightenment, training and practice.’
My appreciation to the Auckland Baptist Tramping Club for the opportunity to lead a tramp in Auckland’s Hunua Regional Park in May 2020. After sharing a devotional entitled “The Genius of Nature Through the Eyes of Eco-Theology”, thoughts of creating EcoQuest started to resonate.
My gratitude to the pastoral influence of the late Major Ron Knight, who in 1968 inspired a chronically dyslexic teenager to believe that God is a radical change maker and, regardless of the label, he is able. An epitaph to this gentle giant would be:
‘You were divinely sent and earthly lent,
in your God,
I pitched my tent.’
Lastly, I am thankful for the timeless inspiration spent in God’s natural cathedral during the past thirty years, it is my prayer others will discover the values of God’s earthly kingdom as a lifestyle choice.