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Kia ora koutou,
After reflecting on a fantastic 2018 our team share what we are looking forward to this year.
“I’m excited about the wonderful range of activities on offer during Seaweek 2019 and by the new opportunity coming up later in the year in relation to World Environment Day. We live on an amazing planet and, whilst we may despair at times, I’m keen to celebrate the positive work committed and passionate people do each day to protect our environment and the creatures that rely on it being healthy and life giving.” – Jocelyn Papprill
“I’m looking forward to reconnecting with Enviroschools in South Canterbury and the Mackenzie Country and assisting them with planning the fantastic environmental initiatives they commit to. I’m excited about the Aquavan from the Marine Studies Centre in Dunedin coming to South Canterbury which will build on the experiences I was privileged to be part of in Southland last year.” – Debbie Eddington
“I’m excited to see the ECan Youth Rōpu (EYR) get off the ground. It’s been fantastic to work with a group of committed young people for the past six months on developing a genuine relationship between young people and decision makers. I’m looking forward to working alongside the team as we connect with schools and communities through our programmes and events.” – Hannah Dunlop
This newsletter has some of our team's highlights from 2018 and information about upcoming activities and ways you can connect with the kaupapa of Environment Canterbury.
We wish you all the best with the coming year and we look forward to connecting with you.
Ngā mihi nui,
Hannah Dunlop,
Team Leader Youth Engagement and Education
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Marine Metre Squared in Canterbury
In November, groups of students and teachers from local schools took advantage of a fantastic opportunity to attend two workshops facilitated by Sally Carson, Director of the Marine Studies Centre, University of Otago.
The focus of these workshops was the coastal environment and the use of Marine Metre Square (MM2) equipment and the related website. The workshops involved a practical, hands-on activity in the coastal environment at both Rāpaki on Banks Peninsula and Smithfield rocky shore in Timaru. This was followed by an indoor workshop where data collected at the previous session was transferred to the MM2 website.
St Joseph’s Timaru created this YouTube clip of their experience:
For more information and an introduction to MM2 follow click here.
The Youth Engagement and Education Team will have equipment (quadrats etc.) available for teachers to borrow to enable classes to collect their own data from a local coastal environment to contribute to the project. If you are interested in borrowing the kit and/or would like assistance Email Jocelyn Papprill (Greater Christchurch and North Canterbury) or Debbie Eddington (South Canterbury).
 
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Youth Walk the Avon
In October 2018 our team worked with a small group of young people to put together a youth-centric walk for the Breeze Walking Festival. The walk took participants on a journey along the Christchurch Ōtakaro-Avon from the Botanic Gardens, where we were introduced to the river by Belinda Margetts (ecologist, Christchurch City Council) before making our meandering way to the Margaret Mahy children's playground.
Along the way we visited specific spots where speakers shared stories and information. One of the highlights was feeding the tuna (eels) from the steps (under which are found ‘tuna townhouses’, purpose-built refuges for tuna) by the Bridge of Remembrance. Shelley McMurtrie, one of our speakers from EOS Ecology had brought along mince and sticks which we could use to feed them. Another of our speakers was Arapata Reuben who provided some insights into the importance of the river for Ngāi Tahu. Peter Wells from Ōtakaro Orchard and Bailey Peryman from Cultivate Christchurch rounded out this informative walk with kōrero about localism with respect to food.
 
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Youth meetups
Following the Regional Youth Voices Hui in June 2018 attendees were keen to keep connecting, and thus the Youth Meetups were born. Designed to be a safe space for young people to connect on environmental issues and civic participation, they certainly delivered.
After the first one in July 2018 the young people thought having it every month would be a great idea. All up five events were held and covered everything from having a say on the Regional Public Transport Plan, to designing youth engagement on the Canterbury Water Management Strategy to developing the concept of the Environment Canterbury Youth Rōpu. We had heaps of fun and we are looking forward to them continuing in 2019. See below for more information.
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Wrybill award
Every year Environment Canterbury invites the first-place winners of our resource management awards from the NIWA Canterbury/Westland Science and Technology Fair and the Timaru Sanford’s Science and Technology Fair to present their projects. From these presentations, one project is deemed the best of the best and awarded the Wrybill Trophy.
Professor Jon Hickford from Lincoln University was invited to judge the students’ presentations and determine the Wrybill Trophy winner for 2018.
It was a tough decision, but Professor Hickford awarded the Wrybill Trophy to Julia Christensen from Cobham Intermediate. Julia designed and produced a totally biodegradable plant guard, the Eco Protector. She trialled several prototypes and is in discussion with potential retailers with the view to taking her design to market.
Read the full story here.
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Youth meet ups
Fourth Friday of the month 4-6pm, 200 Tuam St, Christchurch
(Term 1 and 2 dates are: 22 February, 22 March, 24 May – Youth Week celebration, and 28 June)
Environment Canterbury Youth Meetups are for interested young people (12-24) to gather network, learn, be heard and develop action on issues like: fresh water quality, public transport, environmental action and conservation, youth voice in decision making, air quality, climate change, biodiversity, education and much more.
The format: two hours that includes connecting with others, kai (food), and a series of discussion topics and workshops based on youth interest and opportunities presented for youth participation by Environment Canterbury.
For more info contact email Hannah.dunlop@ecan.govt.nz or call 027 405 4895.
Estuary Fest
1-5pm Saturday 23 Feb 2019, McCormack’s Bay Reserve, Mt Pleasant, Christchurch
Check out the array of displays about our estuary and wetlands as well as play Environment Canterbury’s Tuna & Drains BIG board game at this family fun day out. Find out more here.
Seaweek
The annual celebration of our coasts, oceans and marine life will take place over the week of 2-10 March 2019. Environment Canterbury is running a poetry competition in partnership with the School for Young Writers (every second year an art competition will run) – watch out for details on our website and on the Seaweek website.
There are numerous opportunities for schools to be involved with Seaweek either through a community activity, a library display, an in-school event, or by using some of the resources our team has produced over time – check out under Coasts.
We’d love to hear from you as to what activities or events you’re organising to celebrate the week. If you’d just like to find out more about Seaweek feel free to contact us either via education@ecan.govt.nz or 027 7030 772. This nationwide event is NZAEE’s flagship – up-to-the-moment information about Seaweek past and present can be sourced here.
Science fair
Keep in mind that Science Fair usually happens in September so don’t forget to include that in your planning. We will be awarding our Resource Management Awards again this year and Debbie and Jocelyn are able to provide support and guidance on this. Please get in touch for more information.
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Te Ra O Te Tamariki - Children's Day
11am - 3pm, 3 March 2019, Red Zone, 152 New Brighton Road, Christchurch
This annual event organised by CCC is well worth attending for the experiences and information provided. Find out more here.
EnviroPAST
Plastic and Sustainability Talks
Friday 12 and Saturday 13 April 2019
There will be one day of speaker sessions and another day of hands-on activities such as workshops, tree plantings at Styx Mill and a clean-up at New Brighton beach.
The aim of this movement is to provide youth with a space to network with those similarly passionate about beating plastic pollution. Environment Canterbury is one of the sponsors for this fantastic youth-led initiative.
Waterwise
May 5-10, 2019
The Untouched World Foundation’s (UWF) joint experiential education programme with Environment Canterbury will run again in 2019. Aimed at Years 12-13 students working alongside tuakana from local tertiary institutions, the week-long programme explores the wicked problem of managing water resources in the Selwyn-Waihora Zone. UWF programmes are transformational; graduates have gone on to further their interest in and passion for the environment via university study or direct hands on work, and have invested time into growing their leadership capabilities with respect to environmental sustainability. To find out more click here.
Speaking 4 the Planet
This speech and poster competition is open to all Year 7-13 students from schools within the greater Christchurch area. The theme for the annual World Environment Day serves as the basis for the speeches and art work. It is jointly run by the Christchurch branch of the New Zealand Association for Environmental Education (NZAEE) and Sustainable Ōtaūtahi-Christchurch (SOC) and will be held on Fri 7 June 2019. Register your interest before 12 April to receive the supporting resources pack and further entry details. Space is limited so please register ASAP. For registration contact Michelle Whitaker on 021 170 0649 or spring.unlimited@gmail.com
Aquavan tour
The Aquavan is coming to South Canterbury – catchment and dates to be confirmed but watch this exciting space.
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Planning for 2019?
Then don’t forget to check out our website for a wide range of resources and programmes.
We’re here to connect you with the kaupapa of Environment Canterbury. Our team offers a wide range of education resources and programmes, aligned with New Zealand Curriculum, that can help you link in with the work we’re doing.
Resources and programmes we offer:
- Teaching resources – These can be accessed on the Environment Canterbury website. Please note, we can also provide hard copies of resources at your request.
- Local information and issues - If you’re interested in using local issues and information in your classroom, our team are here to discuss the options with you. Email Jocelyn Papprill (Christchurch) or Debbie Eddington (Timaru) for more information.
- We also provide a wide range of options for classes looking at transport. The ‘Billy the Bus’ programme is available for Year 1-3. For older students, there are three different learning units available. For Years 7-10, the ‘Bill’s Day Out’ options are fun. One is a simple ‘reliever’s activity’ using the Metro Info website to plan a day out with a cousin from Dunedin whilst the other, also called ‘Bill’s Day Out (2)', is a more comprehensive learning unit with relevant references to NZC learning intentions, and involves a group of students planning an introduction to Christchurch by bus for exchange students. These activities can be adapted for the Timaru bus network. A third unit is called ‘Metro Magic Mission’ based on the Amazing Race idea and targeted at years 9-11 making use of both public and active transport modes. Finally, for senior students interested in urban transport a Level 2 NCEA Geography unit is also available on application.
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