A very successful Enviroschools Northland planting day was recently held at Paparoa Lions Walkway to increase native biodiversity. Students from Ruawai College, Paparoa, Tinopai and Matakohe schools planted 1500 native plants as part of a wetland restoration project that will help prevent sediment from running into the Kaipara Harbour from this site. The contribution of these newly planted wetland species will improve habitat for fauna including fernbird/mātātā and Australasian bittern/matuku.
Another benefit of a project like this is that it allows students to work together, encouraging tuākana – tēina learning in, about and for their local environment in partnership with supporting people and organisations. The context of catchment restoration can encompass integrated curriculum approaches to collaboration, catchment health, Mātauranga Māori and ecology.
You can read more about this in the NZ Herald/ Northern Advocate article written by Avina Vidyadharan here. 2021_Northland_NZ Herald_Northern Advocate article_Enviroschools plant Paparoa