Te Whanau Hou Grovetown Lagoon visit
Meet just over the bridge beside the carpark on Steam Wharf Road Thursday 20th June, 3.30 - 5 pm Originally named Big Bush by Settlers, Te Whanau Hou Grovetown Lagoon is one of just a few natural wetlands remaining on the Wairau Plain. The beautiful oxbow lake was formed when the Wairau River changed its course roughly 155 years ago. Hear more about Grovetown Lagoon, its history, native flora and fauna as we walk around this amazing Place . Bring walk clothes , comfortable walking shoes and a water bottle. RSVP to Angela angelg@wenties.nz Fri 14 June...
Read More How often do you take the time to slow down and experience the environment with all your senses?
At the beginning of March Marlborough Early Childhood teachers left feeling inspired and excited to plan their next excursion after attending this term's Nature Connection workshop. Following on from the Nature Connection pilot programme last year where our Environmental Education team supported Spring Creek School and Springlands Kindergarten to set up their own Nature Connection programmes, they hosted an introductory workshop. Gathered at Sheps Park, Springlands Kindergarten teachers guided the group through the experience that they offer tamariki when they have their fortnightly visits there. Opening with a karakia, they then followed their process of a “safety check”...
Read More Outdoor Classroom Day is a global movement to make time outdoors part of every child’s day. On two days of action each year, teachers take children outdoors to play and learn. All year round, the Outdoor Classroom Day community campaigns for more time outdoors every day....
Read More Diversity in Nature
Wednesday 8 November, 3.30 - 5 pm Waikawa Bay School Wairau Marlborough is one of five centres of biodiversity in Aotearoa. We are so lucky to have a high number of endemic plant and animal species that only exist here in Wairau. We will explore what biodiversity is and how you can assess the biodiversity of your school, local waterway or green space using Enviroschools activities as well as community and national initiatives. The students from Waikawa Bay School will join us to share their mahi on trapping as we investigate the issues impacting our precious species. There will be time to link what you have learnt to inquiry topics and the Enviroschools Action Learning Cycle. As...
Read More Did you know that spending time in nature can support multiple developmental domains including intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual and physical? There has been a growing interest and awareness of nature connection benefits amongst kaiako/ teachers. In support of this Enviroschools and REAP Marlborough hosted Celia Hogan from Little Kiwis Nature Play to come and share her knowledge and expertise with kaiako this term. Across two workshops, Celia unpacked the benefits of nature connection. How tamariki/ children play and what they require to do so. As well as ideas on how to enhance the outdoor environment. She facilitated discussions around the barriers and opportunities that nature connection offer from a diverse and cultural perspective. This covered opportunities such...
Read More A full-day workshop exploring how children play outdoors and in nature, what environments support a variety of learning needs, and how we can teach in an outdoor environment with respect for various cultures and diversity of learners through meeting the child where they are. Limited spaces A contribution towards teacher release time may be available - contact Annie.McDonald@marlborough.govt.nz RSVP selena@reapmarlborough.co.nz Celia Hogan, Founder of Little Kiwis Nature Play is a Nature Education Specialist, Consultant, Speaker and Parenting Coach. She is passionate about child development and nature connection and is a strong advocate for nature play, risky play and improving mental health and well-being through nature. For the past 24 years she has worked for a variety of...
Read More Arbor Day is April 28, 2023. Mark the occasion by participating in a local planting event in your area, walking in a local park and appreciating everything trees do for us, or making a donation to have more trees planted in areas where they're needed most. New Zealand celebrates Arbor Day on June 5, which is also World Environment Day. https://www.arborday.org...
Read More Get Outdoors Week is about (safe) self-driven outdoor recreation, encouraging physical activity, connection to nature, and celebrating our environment.
This year the week has a focus on accessibility, that is highlighting outdoor activity for all ages and abilities - whether it's someone with mobility differences or a family just starting to explore the outdoors. No adventure is too big or small!...
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