CONSERVATION WEEK - August 15th - 23rd
He Tirohanga Hou Ki Te Taiao - Nature Through New Eyes
www.conservationweek.org.nz
During and after the COVID-19 lockdown, many of us look at life and our world with a different perspective. Nature hasn’t changed – but we have. We slowed down and many if us took time to reflect on the most important things in our lives.
For Conservation Week 2020, 15-23 August, we’re encouraging you and your students to get outdoors and see nature through new eyes.
- Encourage your students to look, listen, touch, breathe and experience nature.
- Explore the diversity of nature in your local outdoor space (school grounds, local park, beach or estuary) and increase your students critical thinking, creativity and ability to reflect.
- Relate to Papatūānuku, other Atua and each other by participating and contributing to activities that help improve nature in your local outdoor space.
- Enjoy a little time in nature for the well-being of you and your students.
DOC has a lot of teaching and learning resources to support you in the outdoor classroom. Have you tried DOC's nature taster activities? If you’re ready for something a bit more, the curriculum linked, inquiry based, themed resources may also be what you’re looking for.
Head to www.doc.govt.nz/education today and start planning your Conservation Week.
Check out this years Conservation Week posters!
Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for the 2020 Conservation Week poster coming to your school through the Education Gazette. This year's edition comes with the 50 things to do poster printed on the back so you can enjoy getting out into nature with your students all year round! It makes a great class challenge - how many things have you done?
What you can do with students this Conservation Week
Check out the various education resources available at www.doc.govt.nz/education to help you plan Conservation Week.
Nature Tasters
Designed to pick up and go, like a recipe card, these six 'nature taster' cards make it easy to get outdoors and use nature for teaching and learning.
50 things to do
Get outside with these great ideas created by kids for kids from across Aotearoa.
Ranger Kōrero
This video series brings real-life rangers to your classroom to discuss important environmental topics such as ‘what is conservation’ and ‘what is biodiversity’.
Kiwi Guardians
Go on a Kiwi Guardians adventure or do a Kiwi Guardians action at home and earn cool rewards.
Let Nature In
This web page is a hub to find fun, easy and practical ways to learn in and about nature - all while having fun.
Protecting series
This series of inquiry based resources encourage students to go outdoors, explore and connect to their local green space, marine world and estuaries to learn how to protect these environments.
Paws on Patrol
Check out the Paws on Patrol episodes to see some of the amazing work of our conservation dogs and their handlers.
There are also new lesson plans to support conservation learning around the episodes.
Share your nature stories with us and be in to win!
Win a teacher prize pack by simply sharing your moments of teaching and learning outdoors with us! Follow the link below or use the hashtag #conservationweek on social media. Prize pack includes Gillian Candler's Nature Heroes book, DOC trivia card pack, 50 things posters, hut tickets and more!!
That's a wrap for this edition!
Have a great term 3 and enjoy Conservation Week! We will be in touch again at the end of term 3 to take a look at what's coming up in term 4!
As always - please share your amazing nature stories with us so we can share them!
Any questions before then - get in touch at conserved@doc.govt.nz
Mā te taiao, kia whakapakari tōu oranga. Let nature in, strengthen your wellbeing.
The DOC Outreach and Education team
Share your learning in nature stories and ideas!
Can you share with us?
We would love to hear your stories and see how you and your students are connecting with your local nature.
We will share your photos and stories in our future newsletters to help inspire others to get out and enjoy learning in their local nature.
Young people enjoying nearby nature