Learning about conservation at Wellsford Primary School

The Year 3 students from Wellsford Primary recently enjoyed a session with The Forest Bridge Trust’s, educator Liz Maire. This complimented a March school trip to Tiritiri Matangi where students were inspired by seeing endangered wildlife up close and thriving in a pest-free environment.

The class shared what they already knew about local native species, discussing what they had seen in their backyards before taking a vote on what they’d like to see in the future – and no surprise kiwi was their favourite.

Viewing the taxidermized pests helped reinforce the threats to our taonga species and an experiential game of tag allowed the children to feel what it’s like to be hunted by invasive predators. “It’s not fair,” the children were heard to say when more pests were added to the game and those playing the birds were being made extinct!

Hearing about the mahi in their local community that is helping to make their place safe for native wildlife generated lots of interest from the children, who were keen to get involved themselves to help protect local wildlife.

The Trust Community Liaison and Predator Control Teams plan to support the students and their whanau to manage their own family-based trapline in the future.

Well done Year 3!