On 17th March 2015, fourty keen children, parents, helpers and teachers came to the Community Nursery to learn about growing native plants. The group learned about and collected seeds from kohuhu, manuka and mahoe, potted cabbage tree and broadleaf seedlings into tiny pots and then chose some larger native plants to take away to the Waihopai walkway. At the Waihopai, the children were met by Environment Southland staff who helped them plant cabbage trees, manuka, toe toe and other species along the river. This area would be looked after by Lees St children and so the whole circle of growing and planting and caring for the plants continues into the future. Well done Lees St for a great learning experience and thanks to Maggie for helping with the group at the nursery.
Posted: 30 March 2015
Over two days (24 and 25 March 2015), Lee and Heather, teachers from Te Kura, the Correpondence School based in Wellington, welcomed 30 pre-school children, their parents and siblings to a get-together at the Southland Community Nursery. Children had come from all over Southland and Otago and the aim of the days was to foster knowledge and an appreciation of the natural environment as well as networking with other children and their families. Lots of activities were arranged including duck feeding, scavenger hunts around the bush tracks, leaf bingo, potting seedlings, story-telling, jigsaw making and many other activities. The koru maze was a big hit on day one when the sun was shining! Thanks to Lee for organizing the days. For more information about Te Kura and its distance learning programmes - www.tekura.school.nz
Posted: 30 March 2015
A group of 10 children and accompanying parents joined Bronwyn, Chris and Edith for a bush walk on Thursday 26th March. Although the weather was drizzly, the group were well dressed for the occasion with coats and gumboots! We were met by Donna, her ducklings and an increasing number of wild (and hungry) ducks at the pond! They must be the most well fed ducks in the whole neighbourhood! We did the sensory scavenger hunt looking for an assortment of coloured, textured, scented things along the track, explored the “hide” and looked for insects, frogs and lizards. Back at the education centre we potted up seedlings and had morning tea before the group meandered back to their cars and headed for home.
Posted: 30 March 2015
At the beginning of March Jesse Bythell and I ran a native plant ID workshop for SIT Year 1 Environmental Management Students. The workshop is based on the New Zealand Plant Conservation Network (NZPCN) course “Introduction to plant life in New Zealand”. For Southland the workshop is condensed to a one day course with the option of additional two hour special topic sessions, as follow-up workshops.
The Southland version of the course concentrates on those species that are naturally found here – our regional species with local resources created to make the workshop uniquely Southland focussed. The workshop focusses on the characteristics (of leaves, flowers, seeds, stems and bark) that allow you to recognise native species and includes classroom sessions, outside fieldwork and fun practical exercises. All intended to give participants the basics of plant identification, resources to learn and passion for our unique New Zealand plants and wonderful local places to discover.
These workshops will be available to community groups, individuals and agency staff on demand. If you are interested in a workshop please email Chris and a workshop will be organised. For course information and resources.
Posted: 15 March 2015
Fun was the order of the day on Saturday 14th March 2015!
Kite maker extrodinaire Alan Admore, and novice kite makers Bronwyn and Chris helped children make their very own kites – out of coloured paper, sellotape, a straw and string! Every kite made flew beautifully and the children had lots of fun flying them around the koru maze outside the Education Centre.
Then it was on to Oreti Beach to fly a range of home-made and large kites brought along by participants. The beach is the ideal place for kite flying, a gentle breeze and lots of space – one kite we estimated was at least 600 metres high! Bronwyn seemed to be an expert in untangling the lines that invariably got snagged as children ran in all directions with kites trailing behind!
There is something very special about making a kite and seeing it actually take off and fly. That moment is exhilarating and thrilling, it’s so much fun and you just can’t do it without having a smile on your face – thanks Alan and Bronwyn for running this event.
Posted: 15 March 2015
