Chris North is a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Health at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand. His teaching background includes secondary and tertiary institutions in New Zealand and North America.  Chris’ research is in the areas of outdoor education practices, environmental education and initial teacher education.  He uses mainly qualitative methodologies to closely examine peoples’ experiences in outdoor spaces. Most recently he has been inspired by Indigenous approaches to the relationship between humans and the environment, and is working with Māori colleagues and iwi to ensure cultural and environmental values are respected. He is a recipient of the national Environmental Leadership award and the University of Canterbury, College of Education, Health and Human Development teaching excellence award. Chris founded Leave No Trace New Zealand in 2009.

“Leave No Trace asks people to make good decisions based on knowledge and not just our own wants or desires. Because of this, Leave No Trace deepens our understandings of local cultures and ecosystems and enriches the experiences of everyone involved.” 

– Chris North