Connections
Waiotahe Valley School has developed connections with a number of local conservation organisations through their involvement with the TakingITGlobal (TIG) project. TakingITGlobal is a social network encouraging youth involvement in global issues. To find out more, see the
Guide to Action.
The students heard about the endangered terns and were keen to get involved. They partnered with Environment BOP, a local Care Group, DOC and Enviroschools on a project to save the terns.
Background
Whangakopikopiko is a small island wildlife refuge in the Ohiwa Harbour, Eastern Bay of Plenty. Several endangered New Zealand bird species live there including terns, banded rail, black-billed gulls, dotterels and various oyster catchers.
For many years farm stock would wander over to the island at low tide, resulting in the loss of most of the vegetation. Along with the proliferation of pests like rats, stoats and rabbits, this meant the population of terns on the island became endangered.
Taking action
The students made initial bird counts, took part in pest eradication, and collected seeds from the remaining plants on the island. They were able to share and discuss their project with others on the TakingITGlobal discussion board.
At school they developed gardens where they planted the seeds and grew plants to return to the island. They planted 3000 seedlings of a rare local kanuka, which they had grown from seeds they had collected. This planting, along with pest eradication, is providing an environment where the endangered birds can once again nest safely.
This work has strengthened the biodiversity of life on the island, as sometimes the loss of one species of plant can result in disastrous flow-on effects. The students have had the opportunity to see first hand how the well-being of our plant, animal and human species are inextricably intertwined.
Back at school, the students realised that their learning could be applied to their own school environment in a number of ways. So they formed a student sustainability council and began making plans. Their student-initiated projects now include:
- a review of school waste policy
- restoring and replanting the school wetland
- worm farming
- developing an independent student council for sustainability
- a building beautification project
- developing a seedling nursery.
Integrating TakingITGlobal enabled students to connect their project to a range of other related activities. These included:
Published on: 02 Jun 2010
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