Kia ora koutou

And just like that Term One is over.

We have had a busy few months with events including attending Rural Games, Central District Field Day, hosting three teacher PD workshops and three student hui.

The teacher PD workshops were an opportunity to showcase some of the kits we have available that support connecting students to their natural environment and inspiring action projects. We brought back Forgotten Fauna and introduced our new pest plant hui for students. Check out the stories below.

While it has been a busy one for us, it has also been a devastating one for many with the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle. We send our thoughts to all those affected.

We are looking to make a few changes to Seedlings, so please take a few minutes to fill out our survey and let us know what you think.

And if you are wanting support with activities or would like to borrow a kit then please contact us to find out out we can help.

Mā te wā

Sarah & Christina

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

Students take on the War on Weeds Challenge

Last term we held our inaugural  Pest Plant Hui at Awastone in Mangaweka, where we engaged with 70 students from six Northern Rangitīkei schools. This was closely followed by our second hui held at Mount Lees Reserve just out of Feilding where we hosted 48 students from eight schools around the wider Manawatū region.

We were lucky to have Horizons pest plant team onboard to help students learn how to identify a range of pest plants that can affect our native bush or pasture, and what methods we use to control or eradicate them, including looking at biological control agents. 

The day consisted of a number of challenges, including a scavenger hunt where students had to then put this knowledge to the test. The day concluded with students taking part in a spray game with the top student from each school battling it out in an ultimate spray off.

Scores from all the day’s challenges were collated with the winning school crowned the ‘War on Weeds Champion’.

This year, the title was taken out by Taoroa School and Hiwinui School.

Exploring our Environmental Education Kits

Following on from last year's success with our propagation workshop, we ran two Waiora Stream Study and one Explore Mount Lees Reserve teacher PD workshops. It was great to connect with some of you and delve deeper into the education kits we have available.

As part of our Waiora workshops we learnt about the equipment in the kit and ways we can measure water quality. We looked at the physical attributes of a stream including a habitat assessments, biological indicators of stream health and tips on things to consider when selecting your stream location to conduct a study.

Mount Lees Reserve is a hidden gem on the outskirts of Feilding and a fantastic location for connecting with nature. Our workshop here gave us time to explore the Reserve and facilities including the option for school camps. We unpacked our bird and tree kits and looked at different ways the kits can be used either within the Reserve or around your schools.

If you are keen to attend workshops in the future please email us to register your interest.

ENVIROSCHOOLS

Congratulations to......

Norsewood School, Ruahine Campbell Street Early Learning Centre and Ruahine Riverdale Kindergarten who all reflected to Bronze last term.

Tino pai 💚

Forgotten Fauna Returns

In Term one we held our third Forgotten Fauna Hui where student representatives from seven Enviroschools in Whanganui attended.

Students explored Westmere’s Bason Botanic Gardens in a scavenger hunt and participated in interactive kōrero with Horizons freshwater and biodiversity teams. Here they learnt about some of our less charismatic native creatures – such as pekapeka (bats), mokomoko (lizards) and ika (fish).

The day ended with an action planning exercise where students brainstormed about ways they can take the learnings from the day back to their schools and share their new knowledge. We also had them thinking about future plans for actions they can take as a school and we look forward to seeing what projects they can achieve with this new found passion and expertise.

IDEAS & RESOURCES

Environmental education kits for loan 

If you're keen to do a more in-depth inquiry into our waterways, pest trapping, invertebrates or get to know our native birds better we have kits available to borrow.

These kits allow students and teachers to connect more with their natural world in an easily accessible and achievable way, and are great to use for long term projects.

If you would like to borrow one of our kits please email us for more information.

Horizon Regional Council Community Grants 

Horizons Regional Council has two community grants open till Friday 5 May 2023.

Kanarau Koiora Taketake Indigenous Biodiversity Community Grant - This contestable fund is open for applications for community-led projects that support communities to reconnect with and improve indigenous biodiversity and those that support the regeneration and continuation of mātauranga Māori.

Pūtea Hapori Urupare Āhuarangi Community Climate Response Fund – This contestable fund is open for climate related projects that aim to support and encourage community efforts to build resilience to the effects of climate change or support the transition to a sustainable carbon neutral regional economy by 2050.

You can find out more information and apply here. If you need help with your application please feel free to get in touch.

Earth Day - 22 April

Earth Day is a global event that takes place every year, it is dedicated to celebrating our beautiful planet as well as raising awareness about pressing environmental issues. 

Get Inspired. Take Action. Be a part of the green revolution - find out more here.

World Oceans Day - 8 June

Is a way to celebrate our world's shared ocean and our personal connection to the sea, as well as to raise awareness about the crucial role the ocean plays in our lives and the important ways people can help protect it. To find out more about events and ways you can take action visit here.