Bush tea, mangals, shore surveys, plants for bees and pests…
The coastal environment was the focus for the annual WaiRestoration professional development day, recently enjoyed by keen teachers and school community members at Aroha Island near Kerikeri.
Studying mangals (mangrove forests), learning how to survey the local seashore, making native bush tea from leaves and flowers, finding out about bee plants and beekeeping, and tracking and trapping pests were among the day’s learning opportunities.
Enviroschools Northland Regional Coordinator Susan Karels says participants could choose to attend four out of five practical workshops designed to stimulate, enthuse and provide a kickstart for school-based WaiRestoration projects.
“We wanted the schools to be inspired about how they can incorporate WaiRestoration into their teaching…All awa lead into the moana, so the coastal riparian environment is both important and relevant to their environmental studies” – Susan Karels
“It was a fantastic day that ended with everyone making a commitment to continue the work they have started,” Ms Karels said. “They wrote out a self-addressed envelope and put their WaiRestoration pledges inside. We’ll send these to them to help get the ball rolling when school starts next year.”
Banner photo – Bobby Leef demonstrates the workings of a beehive at the annual WaiRestoration professional development day.
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