While the nursery operations (growing plants) side of the Southland Community Nursery is still closed for winter, there are still education happenings. Unlike the usual school and service groups that we have visit the nursery to learn and experience nature it was a new experience for us to have the Awarua Whanau Services and Stand Children’s Services holiday group visit the nursery. All this hardy group of tamariki wanted to do was go bush – fantastic to have such willingness to head out to explore! We headed bush, oblivious to the drizzle, along the way searching for different leaves of NZ native trees – to see which of the two groups could get the most points. While we didn’t find kōtukutuku leaves (they are one of the few NZ natives to lose their leaves) we did find kōtukutuku flowers! And the pīwakawaka found us! After some kai, looking at the resources in the education centre and puzzle fun we potted up some mānuka seedlings into bigger pots before heading out again. This time the sensory scavenger hunt had us not only looking, but touching, listening and smelling the wonders of nature. A great way to spend a winter holiday day.
Bronwyn
Posted: 19 July 2019
Today the drizzly weather didn’t deter the Otatara Kindergarten from exploring at the Southland Community Nursery and learning more about birds following on from their inquiry at kindy. After walking through the orchard spotting a few birds we spent some time in the education centre. We discovered how birds use the trees that the nursery grows for nest building, homes, food (berries) and insects. Meeting our soft toy friends the pukeko (who likes wet areas), the Kereru (who is the only bird in our NZ forest with a beak big enough to eat the berry of the miro tree), the fantail or piwakawaka (who loves to eat insects), the tui (with a tongue like a paintbrush to sip nectar) and the bellbird or korimako (who has a beautiful singing voice) was followed by a treasure hunt for the different birds that live in the local surrounding habitat by matching up pictures with parts of the painted murals on the wall of the education centre. Time spent exploring the habitat tunnel and reading some books was followed by kai and then a walk to the bush. Donna the duck was on the pond, the bush was discovered and we silently listened for birds after we sang to them! We checked out the apples that are set out to feed the birds and then learnt the actions to the “kiwi bird” song. Thanks Otatata Kindergarten for visiting - I hope you continue to have fun spotting birds at your place.
Bronwyn
Posted: 26 June 2019
Eight intrepid bush kindy explorers arrived dressed for any weather and full of excitement and energy. We trotted through the apple orchard following the cabbage tree Southland Community Nursery signs along the path. We talked about the pest traps around and what kind of pests they are keeping out of our forests. The bright red apples still on the tree were seen. We shuffled our feet through the soggy Autumn fall leaves knowing they had fallen off the trees. We smelt the leaves of the bay tree, then a hen over the fence caught the eyes and attention, before we counted how many case moths we could spot within the berry enclosure - quite tricky due to their wonderful camouflage. Routine and rumbling tummies set us off on a trek to find a spot for some kai, first back towards the carpark and for a closer look at the pest traps, before finally agreeing to go to the classroom (nature education centre). The doors of the habitat tunnel were explored and talked about with inquiring minds wanting to know what was behind each door. Once tummies were satisfied we went out around the bush track. We noticed the seeds on the forest floor, looked at how we collect seeds for the nursery to grow plants, noticed delicate fungi, talked about how the Rances are protecting this bush area forever (with a QEII covenant), commented on the wet ground (of the kahikatea swamp forest) and went fishing in a wet puddle in the forest! We checked out the seeds inside of the mingimingi berries and sat and marvelled at the forest we had just walked through. After some lunch we sowed some mingimingi seeds, filling the tray with dirt, flattening it with some blocks, sprinkling the seeds and covering with stones.
These fantastic inquiring minds thought about and wondered about things they weren’t familiar with and their noticing was only distracted by excitement at being at a new place, with so many things to see and explore. I learnt lots about their bush kindy site too.
Bronwyn
Posted: 26 June 2019
A cold clear starry night for Matariki celebrations saw us taking a close up peak at the nearly full moon through the telescope. 16 children from 2-12 years old (and a number of enthusiastic adults) explored and got stuck in with all the activities on offer. We made seed balls using mingi mingi (Coprosma proprinqua) seeds, flattening our clay, sprinkling some seeds (just like baking someone mentioned!) and then rolling up into a ball. Nature art (without sellotape, string, staples or the hot glue gun) inspired some wonderful creations of kites, brooms, dream catchers, birds and various throwing items. The challenge of making a circle, or tying bits together were approached with great thinking and problem solving. A quick rendition of the Matariki macarena before eating some kai, followed by the much anticipated toasted marshmallows squished between chocolate thin biscuits completed our fun night. Standing around the fire was warm and smokey!
Posted: 18 June 2019
The last community nursery volunteer Friday will be on 14th June. We will be closing for winter, re-opening on Friday 16th August 2019. Bring something yummy for morning tea and do some cuttings. During winter contact Bronwyn Graham at [Enable JavaScript to view protected content] for school visits and enquiries.
Posted: 10 June 2019
