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Kia ora koutou
We can’t believe that it’s nearly August! So much happened during term two that we hardly had time to look up and smell the roses. That’s okay though as our team is here to serve you and the educators in schools, and being in class or out in the field with you is what we enjoy doing.
In this newsletter you will learn a little about the activities we were involved in during the term and what we’re looking forward to in term three.
Please get in touch if you’d like a resource or programme support, or someone to bounce environmental educational ideas around with.
We look forward to working with you.
Ngā mihi nui
The Youth Engagement and Education team
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What happened in term two?
Environment Canterbury Youth Rōpū
The Youth Rōpū were busy with Long-Term Plan (LTP) submissions and developing engaging events and activities for young people. Their written and oral submissions provided a comprehensive analysis of the feedback and ideas from the outreach sessions held, giving great insight for councillors on the issues young people were most concerned about. Several individual EYR members also submitted on the LTP process.
The youth meet ups in term 2 focused on issues including public transport (listen to Plains FM podcast of this event), volunteer opportunities, and LTP discussion. Due to winter illness, the last one was cancelled. These meet ups are great opportunities for young people to discuss environmental and sustainability issues. The youth meet ups for term 3 are scheduled for 13 August and 24 September, 4.00 – 6.00pm at Environment Canterbury, 200 Tuam Street. Keep an eye on the Youth Engagement & Education Facebook page for more information.
Year five and six students at Tinwald School got to experience our Waitaha Wai – Water of Canterbury in class lessons. However, they were unable to go on the field trip to their local river, the Hakatere/Ashburton, due to the significant rain that caused damage to the State Highway 1 bridge. We’re hoping to complete this exciting part of the programme later in term 3. Pictured below (left) is a student distributing freshwater into labelled containers to illustrate availability of water for drinking.
 
All students at Beaconsfield School experienced our ‘What a Pest’ programme during term 2. They were introduced to a number of Canterbury plant and animal pests as well as a timeline activity to understand when and why these species were brought into New Zealand. Pictured above (right) are students at Claremont Bush (a small pocket of native bush) where they completed activities including an insect study with South Canterbury Museum staff, a bush walk, and an investigation of pest sign and trapping work being undertaken by a local volunteer group.
Speaking 4 the Planet
Sustainable Ōtautahi Christchurch again partnered with the local branch of the New Zealand Association for Environmental Education to run the Speaking 4 the Planet school competition. Environment Canterbury was a major sponsor of the event alongside Earth Sea Sky Clothing, Orana Wildlife Park, Workers' Educational Associations, Christchurch City Libraries, Ara Institute, and Trees for Canterbury.
The competition was held on Friday 11 June and attracted a number of schools and several individuals. The competition categories included prepared speech, performance poetry, visual art, video and impromptu drama. The performances and artwork reflected the World Environment Day (WED) theme of Ecosystem Restoration with many highlighting the wonderful work individuals and groups are already doing to restore the mauri of our environment.
Pia Titus from Plains FM recorded throughout the day and created a wonderful podcast ‘Pareka’ of the event. Visit Sustainable Ōtāutahi to view the competition results and photos.
Be a stormwater hero
The new Stormwater Heroes trailer had a few airings during term 2. The most recent was held at the University of Canterbury at the EnviroPAST conference. Attendees enjoyed playing with the activity boards and taking the interactive quiz; a painless way to pick up information about stormwater systems and how they can impact our urban waterways.
Our comprehensive stormwater inquiry learning programme is free for all Canterbury schools. It is designed for year 7/8 students and delves into the big issues: where water comes from, where it goes, why it is contaminated, and what effect this has on the quality of surface waterways. Students also investigate actions that could be undertaken to help improve stormwater quality and protect the unique stream environments that make up our towns. Our team offers two free facilitated school sessions. This programme links well to our Waitaha Wai programme, a package of learning resources about waterways in Canterbury.
 
Operation River Quest
Kirsty from Nature Agents fame, in partnership with the Estuary Trust, supported 19 schools with the Mother of All Clean Ups, which the Trust coordinates each year. The students picked up an amazing 9,223 items from around the riverbanks and water. Many of these items could have been recycled and all could have been disposed of in the appropriate bins rather than thrown into our awa.
Following the May RiverQuest, another will be held in September. Until then, please encourage your students to take part in the HIGH FIVE campaign – an easy action that could have a big impact. When you’re out walking, pick up five items of litter you come across. HIGH FIVE - I can pick up FIVE.
To thank the schools that participated, Gabrielle Boyd donated her book, ‘Our Plastic Problem’ to each school. We have a few spare so if you would like one please get in touch.
Geography teachers visit Environment Canterbury
In June, members of the Canterbury Geography Teachers’ Association visited our Tuam Street office to learn about the Council’s portfolios. They heard about our important partnership with Ngāi Tahu and the relationships with papatipu rūnanga within Waitaha, gained some insight into the power of geographic information systems (GIS) for capturing information about our landscapes, and discussed climate change issues with our Chief Scientist. There were many more stories of interest to geographers to be told but time did not allow. For more information check out:
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Te Mana o Te Wai
You may have heard the phrase ‘Te Mana o te Wai’. It refers to the vital importance of water and emphasises the need for waterways to be kept healthy. TMoTW has been part of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management since 2014, but now there are changes as to how the concept is described and how it must be applied.
Essential Freshwater is part of a new national direction to protect and improve our rivers, streams, lakes and wetlands. The new direction aims to stop further degradation of our freshwater and reverse past damage to bring our waterways and ecosystems to a healthy state within a generation. Any resource consent application must now demonstrate how it will ensure that freshwater is managed in a way that prioritises (in this order):
- the health and wellbeing of water
- the health needs of people
- the ability of people and communities to provide for their social, economic and cultural wellbeing.
“…the health of our people and communities relies on the health of our water. This is basically about putting the river first, and Minister Parker is requiring councils, the farming community and urban dwellers to come to grips with that. He wants to put that strong focus on water and tie it to the health of people... We have always valued water. The responsibility to protect and improve it is incumbent on all of us, whether in rural or urban communities.” Jenny Hughey, Chair.
The Youth Engagement and Education team has resources to assist schools to understand more about freshwater and ecosystems within Canterbury. Our Waitaha Wai series and Stormwater learning programmes are great resources to tap into. You can even book one of our educators to support you with in class and field activities to do with these themes.
Growing Active Citizens
He waka eke noa – ‘we are all in this together’ is a key concept driving Aotearoa future. How do we work together for the betterment of our communities and nation; what attributes, skills and capabilities do we need to grow?
Over the next 6-12 months, our Youth Engagement and Education team will be working on updating our civics outreach material. The team are keen to partner with schools so please get in touch if you’re interested education@ecan.govt.nz.
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Climate Change – It's Time, Canterbury
Severe flooding both here in Aotearoa and Europe, extreme heat waves and overwhelming forest fires in North America, have focused our minds these past couple of months. Climate change is happening and we all have a role to play.
Here at Environment Canterbury our climate change team is leading the community outreach process through the ‘It’s Time Canterbury’ campaign. Canterbury councils have pooled resources, knowledge and expertise for a stronger regional approach as there are many issues that need to be addressed if we are to mitigate (reduce our carbon footprint) and adapt to climate change.
To assist with community conversations Te Pūtahi is facilitating a series Towards 2030.
When: Saturday 4 September, Tūranga Library, 1.30 – 3.00pm.
Theme: Can we be a zero-waste city? Thinking differently about all the stuff in our lives and the systems we use to manage it.
There is also heaps going on in the climate change education space with the update to the climate change curriculum resource nearly complete and the development of the Christchurch based Climate Campus underway. Our schools resource, Canterbury’s Change Climate, developed by our education team in 2020 is available to download, alternatively we can provide printed copies. Our team is also available to facilitate activities with classes to get them thinking about climate adaptation.
Calling all schools on, along or close to the Ōpāwaho Heathcote River
You are invited to the celebration of the Ōpāwaho Heathcote River by showcasing your mahi in restoring Te Mana o te Wai!
Participate in a two-part presentation from 17 – 26 September. Create a river photo storyboard to be displayed at South Library and share your stories at a storytelling event on Monday 20 September, 1.00 – 3.00pm. Register your interest by 30 August (places are limited) sally.airey@ccc.govt.nz.
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Science and technology fairs in September
Sanford, Timaru: 8 – 9 September
Canterbury-Westland, Christchurch: 18 – 19 September
Our education teams in Timaru and Christchurch offer in-class support for students undertaking science fair projects, particularly for those interested in undertaking research that meets the requirements of our Resource Management Awards. This section is judged by our science staff with prizes awarded to students whose exhibits take an innovative, investigative approach to solving an environmental issue in Canterbury. If you wish to book an educator for a session please complete this form.
Due to COVID restrictions, we were unable to offer the Wrybill Trophy. We look forward to running this event at our Tuam Street office in October when the winners of our Resource Management Awards will present their projects to councillors. The ‘best of the best’ will be awarded the gorgeous trophy.
Waterwise Canterbury
12 – 17 September. This annual hui is run in partnership with the Untouched World Foundation. Designed for senior secondary students and supported by tertiary students from Ara and the University of Canterbury. Visit the website to register by August 19.
World Rivers Day
26 September. The Ōpāwaho-Heathcote River Network will be holding an event on the lawn at South Library. Keep an eye on their website for details.
Days of Ice
8 – 28 October. An annual programme of events promoted by ChristchurchNZ, exploring our connection with Antarctica. It includes exhibitions and guest speakers at Tūranga.
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Youth meet ups
Friday 13 August, 4.00 – 6.00pm
Friday 24 September, 4.00 – 6.00pm
EnviroKids by Envirohub Trust
A regular Saturday workshop from 10.00am – 3.00pm for kids keen to explore nature.
Sustainable Development Goals hui
2 – 3 September, University of Canterbury – collaboration for systemic changer. Register to participate.
Conservation Week/ Te Wiki Tiaki Ao Tūroa
4 – 12 September. Sign up here.
Clean up Week
13 – 19 September. For advice and event registration visit Keep NZ Beautiful Awards. Entries close 4 August.
Māori language week
13 – 19 September. Have a read of these resources for more information.
SoCon 2021 (NZ Social Sciences Conference)
4 – 6 October, Christchurch.Theme: Embracing Change, providing a wonderful opportunity for educators to come together and explore new ways of doing things.
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Recommendations
Books
Land: How hunger for ownership shaped the modern world by Simon Winchester. Listen to this interview with Kim Hill on Radio NZ.
Climate Aotearoa: what’s happening and what we can do about it. Edited by Helen Clark. It outlines the climate situation as it is now, and as it will be in the years to come. It describes the likely impact on the environment and on our day-to-day living situation. Listen to this Radio NZ interview.
Podcasts/digital media
The Department of Conservation’s Sounds of Science series. A behind the scenes look at how we care for Aotearoa native species and natural environment.
Quorum Sense. A podcast series about regenerative farming.
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Websites
The UN Decade for Ecosystem Restoration – 10 more years to restore the planet.
Another UN Decade to be aware of, the Ocean Decade
Blue Cradle, a not-for-profit organisation supporting marine education and science.
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We offer:
- Facilitated inquiry learning programmes – book one of our programmes on our website.
- Teaching resources – these can be accessed on our website (we can also provide hard copies of resources at your request).
- Local information and issues – if you’re interested in using local information and issues in your classroom, our team are here to discuss the options with you.
- In-class and field teaching by trained teachers.
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