In the morning we had the Makarewa Playcentre visit as part of their learning around nature (plants, bugs and worms) and conservation. At the worm farm the tamariki were either mesmerised or grossed out by the worms in the worm farm! We talked about how the worms in this bath ate all the food waste and made compost and worm juice which is great for growing vegetables and other plants. In the education centre we had some kai, explored the tunnel and then potted up some baby NZ native plants – kohuhu and cabbage trees. We noticed their roots and the leaves (or shoots) and talked about how to cover the roots with dirt and that plants needed water to grow. Chris noticed some kereru in the kowhai tree nearby so we set off for a walk, stopping to notice these treasures of the forest. The tamariki were fascinated by these huge birds as they ate the new shoots on the kowhai trees. We continued on around the pond noticing the leaves on the trees, feeling the prickly totara and smooth broadleaf leaves. Further exploration of the tunnel and opening the doors to find what lives in our environment and completing the big floor puzzles of the spider and red admiral butterfly, some bug hunting and identification, and listening to the “No Mr Possum” song completed the visit to the nursery.
Bronwyn and Chris
Posted: 5 September 2018
A beautiful sunny day meant that for this event we were able to wander outdoors, exploring all the way. We first noticed the monkey puzzle tree, feeling how prickly it was and learning that it is a native of Chile in South America. The 10 children and 6 adults then headed out towards the pond, stopping to feed the resident ducks and hearing all about how Chris and Brian have created the pond and planted NZ natives. Learning about the adjacent Bushy Point reserve and how the Otatara Landcare Group is restoring this area, and seeing the plantings over the years filled in the afternoon. We had a kai stop at the Bushy Point pond and it was great to just sit and be in nature. We look forward to the Bushy Point planting day on 8 September.
Bronwyn
Posted: 5 September 2018
A torch lit walk through to the education centre excited the cubs. Then is was down to work… potting up a NZ native into their pots that they had decorated the week before at Cubs, before continuing with the potting up, helping out the community nursery in the work we do. A great night out as the Cubs learnt how to pot up and gained a bit more knowledge about NZ native trees.
Bronwyn
Posted: 5 September 2018
Our last cuttings morning will be held on Friday 20 July 2018 – 9.30am-noon. The Southland Community Nursery will then be closed on Fridays until Friday 7 September 2018.
For school enquiries please contact Bronwyn Graham [Enable JavaScript to view protected content]
Chris
Posted: 18 July 2018
We had a great Matariki celebration in the Education Centre on Saturday night. Around 50 people came and joined with Kiwi Conservation Club kids in making lanterns, Matariki music and song, toasting marshmallows and enjoying shared food. Lanterns were made from glass jars with Matariki designs and stones painted.
A quiet moment of reflection in the dark was led by Linda – and encouraged everyone to think about things that had happened in the previous year and what was to look forward to in the new season.
Even the stars and the planets were out and we all enjoyed seeing them through Lloyd’s telescopes.
Thanks to Bronwyn for organising the KCC activities and to Linda and Ray for running the artwork table for lanterns, to Liam and Brian for laying out the silver ferns leading people through the tracks and to Lloyd for showing people the stars with his telescope and to everyone for joining in the fun and providing some very yummy food to share.
Chris
Posted: 27 June 2018
