The Noticing Nature workshops held in Featherston and Masterton in March were a collaboration between the Ruamāhanga Restoration Trust, Pūkaha and Enviroschools.
Ruamahanga Restoration Trust, Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre
Observing, measuring and recording.
The aim was to empower young people to revitalise the living landscapes in their schools, working with others to restore the mauri of te taiao. Activities were facilitated to help build knowledge of interdependence and mātauranga Māori. Participants observed, measured and shared. Rangatahi found colours, textures, and shapes in nature by slowing down and noticing.
This mahi is to support schools to notice changes in nature over time. It ties in with their Tracking and Trapping and Planting projects. It was valuable to reflect on what they were already doing well!
Discussions were held on how to build manaaki in their local communities by sharing their knowledge, skills, concerns, hopes and actions.
The workshops empowered participants to return to their schools to observe (formally and informally) which ngā mokopuna ā Tāne are spending time in their school grounds.
Loads of resources for observation, identification and measurement.
New skills and resources have enabled them to carry out insect and bird surveys and to start mapping plants in their place.
Next, they will use their growing understanding of how ecosystems work to start exploring ways to encourage greater biodiversity. They are already thinking about what native plants could be added to their landscapes and fundraising to support these projects that contribute to a sustainable community for nature and people.
Describing the living landscape.
Considering next steps.
Developing ways of observing, experiencing, and describing the local environment.
Looking at all aspects to consider the future.