July 2021 Recipients
Whanganui Intermediate is expanding its existing forest school programme and hopes to inspire younger generations to incorporate knowledge of the natural environment in their everyday life.
With the overall theme that Nature is Everywhere, Whanganui Intermediate is embarking on a journey to extend its “forest school” programme. This will be achieved by starting an ongoing BioBlitz where all organisms found will be identified and reported on through iNaturalist – an online platform. This reporting will include assigning each organism to their “role” in nature, known as “ecosystem services”.
Ruud Kleinpaste – the Bugman and Dr Riley Elliott, Shark Scientist visited Whanganui Intermediate to talk to students and teachers about the importance of sustainability how they can help to look after the environment and its living organisms.
Dani Lebo, Whanganui Intermediate Forest School teacher says “The learnings from this Forest School project can be used as a template to enhance the school ground’s environment through native planting. We are passionate about expanding our existing forest school programme, which takes students off-site to explore the local bush area and embrace the outdoors. We hope to inspire the younger generation to incorporate knowledge of the natural environment in everyday life.”
