Kia ora Enviroschools whānau

We are immensely proud of our Te Tai Poutini / West Coast Enviroschools network and take great delight in sharing some of the inspiring mahi they have been immersed in since our last newsletter.

You'll find plenty of examples of our kaupapa in action. Under challenging circumstances our West Coast network (now 15 schools strong!) have been, "creating a healthy, peaceful, sustainable world through learning and taking action together."

We look forward to working with you in Term 4. Check out the dates and info for some upcoming professional development opportunities.

Wishing you a safe and happy holiday,

Nga mihi nui ki a tātou,
Zoe and Sarah at Enviroschools West Coast 

NEW ENVIROSCHOOLS ON THE (WEST COAST) BLOCK

BEACH LITTER CLEAN UP AND DATA PUT TO GOOD USE

West Coast student citizen-scientists are forging ahead with their Litter Intelligence beach surveys and audits. Established sites in Hokitika, Paroa, Barrytown and Granity are being scoured with a fine-tooth comb: litter is removed, sorted, and audited before careful disposal. 

St Mary’s School in Hokitika, new to the Enviroschools Programme, targeted a central Hokitika beach section and were pretty shocked with the haul. "I had no idea. I walk on this beach often and at first glance it looked litter-free” says teacher Casi Agnew. “Once our group slowed down and conducted the survey, we were pretty horrified with what we found.”

Almost 900 items were collected in the 100m length section of the beach surveyed. Once the items were sorted into categories back at school, the data was entered into a phone app and a report like this one produced. Hard plastic fragments, plastic corflute fragments and plastic bags were the most common culprits.

Students will revisit this site at least four times a year and decide on actions to help target the litter.  These litter surveys are contributing to Sustainable Coastlines national litter database that is helping to prove the litter problem and help with prioritising solutions to reduce rubbish long term.

If you are interested in joining in on the next beach survey near you please contact Sarah or Zoe.

FIND OUT MORE >

NATIVE NURSERIES - SOWING SEEDS AND BOOSTING YIELD

During Term 3, Enviroschools Facilitator Sarah Harvey has been supporting schools to continue the care and maintenance of their native nurseries. After a productive session at Conservation Volunteer New Zealand’s (CVNZ) Punakaiki Headquarters gathering seeds and expertise, Sarah embarked on a series of ‘potting up’ sessions at participating schools.

Manuka, toetoe, kowhai, akeake, and harakeke seeds have been planted with students at Reefton Area School, Kaniere School and Hokitika Primary. The next steps are to prick out the seedlings and to plant some of the larger specimens that are ready to go in the ground.

Reefton Area School already has plans for their next crop. Teacher Caroline Wright says, “We have given some plants to the Inangahua Community Board for planting at 'The Strand', (the riverside). We plan to donate [more plants] to the Inangahua Community Board for planting of native plants and trees around Reefton to continue to attract native birds into the town, and stabilise the ground beside the Inangahua River.”

A big thanks to all the CVNZ crew for their support and sharing their knowledge & skills.

READ BACKGROUND INFO HERE >

REDUCING & RETHINKING WASTE ON THE WEST COAST

With Level 2 behind us, Waste Reviews have commenced at schools along the Coast. This facilitated session supports students to survey and evaluate current waste practices and programmes, and then strategise ways to take action on issues that are priorities for their school community. 

READ MORE HERE >

EARLY CHILDHOOD CLUSTER GOES BUSH AT KARORO

Kidsfirst Karoro Kindergarten hosted our Enviroschools Term 3 cluster meeting. The Karoro team, who are preparing to reflect at Green-Gold, treated us to a tour of their sustainable practices. To top it off, we donned our sturdy footwear and went on a native bush walk. Every Friday, rain or sun, their passionate teacher Tim Eden-Calcott leads the small-group bush walk, cultivating a love for the natural environment and children's capabilities within it.

GROWING SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES IN ST CANICE'S GARDEN OF EAT'N

St Canice’s School students are being empowered through the context of growing and sharing food. This year, the whole school has been involved in creating a flourishing and nourishing garden, with each class having allocated time in the garden to work on projects. 

The garden established several years ago has been tended to through a range of student-led projects: landscaping, newly painted tyre planters, growing kai ready for summer, and a bee and butterfly section for attracting more of these to the garden for pollination.

Materials, plants, and time have been donated from the school community, and the relationship is reciprocal. Part of St Canice’s long-term vision is sharing kai with whānau and community, and they have a basket of food at the church and in the school reception when there is surplus.

The hardwork has paid off in time for this lush Living Landscape to be enjoyed as a learning and recreational space. “The children have decided that the garden should be open during lunchtimes as an alternative place for children to hang out," commented Principal Leah Marris. 

For ideas about the concepts of Sustainable Communities through Kai members of the Enviroschools network can access a booklet here, or contact your Enviroschools Facilitator.