The “Keen to be Green” (KTBG) students at Tatuanui School have created something a little bit ‘extra’ in their native bush. With guidance and support from learning assistant Brenda Wratt, this dedicated team of students work in the bush twice a week (during lunchtime) to care for their native bush. The area really is filled with love and life and the students are passionate about what they do.
There are a few ways to enter this slice of nature, and the main entrance has a dedicated notice board which welcomes everyone. The KTBG students create new displays depending on the season and the work they are doing. Their current focus is on frogs, inspired by one recently observed on the edge of the bush (an Australasian bell frog). In response the group made a small pond and frog information. The large board acts as a place to display notices, researched information, treasure hunt instructions and suggestions of things to do in the bush. There are even some jokes.
“What happened to the frog’s car that was parked on a yellow line? It got toad.“
The notice board at the main entrance to the bush provides information about this special place and specific focuses.
The bug hotel, utilising old posts, bricks and a range of natural materials provides safe spaces for invertebrates.
As you walk past the notice board, you might see a very fancy and elaborate bug hotel – a large structure made from old fence posts, logs, and bricks where children have stuffed every nook and cranny full of twigs and leaves. This tightly packed structure provides homes for invertebrates to go about their business out of the way of birds. Other more ‘organic’ bug hotels have been created in the native bush simply by creating large piles of logs, sticks, harakeke and weeds. These create a fantastic place for critters to live as the heaps decomposes.
Bins are used to collect leaves which then compost down and feed the trees.
The students use other ways to compost and control weeds without creating a lot of extra work. Bottomless blue bins are stuffed with dead leaves and smaller sticks to create beautiful rich compost. Old feed sacks are used for collecting and containing invasive weeds like privet and tradescantia.
Tucked in the middle of the native bush is a dedicated tool shed, making it super easy for students to access these when they need. A whiteboard itemises all the tasks and who is responsible for them. Team members take turns for special tasks like opening and locking the shed.
In 2023 some cunning planning was done to accommodate the new bike track. It enables a dedicated shared trail for walkers and cyclists through the bush. A special gate ensures cyclists don’t go anywhere they shouldn’t and most of the bush remains undisturbed.
The Burma trail guides people through the bush.
A tunnel was created to add interest to the trail.
As well as focusing on the maintaining and appreciating the plants, birds, insects and fungi that are flourishing in the native bush, the KTBG (and staff) are always coming up with creative ideas to make the area an even more special place to be. This year they worked together to create a Burma trail, including a tunnel to crawl through, adding to the adventure.
“Using a blind fold, students hold on to the rope which guides them through the bush,” Ella explains.
The team have added shallow water containers as drinking stations for creatures using the area.
The frog pond adds another interesting dynamic in the planted area.
Dotted through the native bush are small dishes of water with rocks and pebbles acting as water stations for thirsty insects, bees, and frogs.
Toward the end of the native bush is a picnic table. It’s a great spot to hang out and in summer have KTBG meetings. The nearby kiwi mural was created out of tiles originally made by about 15 years ago. These were recently unearthed in a storage shed and repurposed.
“This is a spot where people can come and sit. Sometimes we bring our literacy books out and sit and write.” – Kenedi, KTBG member
The KTBG students are clearly passionate about and committed to caring for and learning in and about this special place.
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