Conservation Week workshops at Waihirere Domain
Gisborne Intermediate students had a fun time learning about nature as part of Conservation Week workshops held at Waihirere Domain yesterday.
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Kaitiaki (guardians) from environment group Mahaki Mahinga Kai (MMK) taught students about the methods and importance of water monitoring, pest control and identifying plants.
The 18 children were divided into three groups — each taking turns to learn one aspect at a time.
MMK project manager Tahi Hiroki said exposing the children to such events was a way to show what the environment group was doing as part of its Jobs for Nature project.
“It's also giving the kids an opportunity to see if they are interested in this as a life goal.”
In the water monitoring workshop, tamariki were taught how to use a clarity tube — a metre-long device which helps to visually assess water clarity (how clear it is) among other methods.
Mr Hiroki, who supervised the water monitoring group, said it was all about understanding the health of the awa (river) — in this case Waihirere Stream.
The group started its awa monitoring project in February and over time found that the Waihirere Stream had good clarity and conductivity.
Besides the presence of good invertebrates, the awa is also home to several tuna fish and crayfish among other taonga species.
“What we are doing as a group for the environment is just a starting point. With more community and school participation we will be able to realise our vision of helping preserve our whenua and awa.”
MMK project coordinator Aubrey Ria, who was involved with the pest control and monitoring workshop, said the students learned about different pests and the traps — such as DOC 200 — used to catch them.
“Trapping has significantly improved the biodiversity of the Waihirere Domain. While the natural biodiversity of the trees and the plants encourage a huge bird population, pests are the reason we feel we are not getting such a huge bird population.”
Pests were often responsible for eating tree foliage, seeds and even birds eggs, causing their decline.
“So getting control of the pest control problem in the Waihirere Domain will greatly encourage the birds to return.”
Tui and kereru are the most sighted birds in the domain.
Mrs Rai said the workshops were also an opportunity for the MMK staff to share their skills with the children.
The plant identification workshop was spearheaded by MMK planting lead Mihikura Te Pairi.
“For my workshop, I asked the children to use their eyes and look around them and observe the areas where different trees are placed and why it's important to have them planted in such places.
“It's all about making sure that we are placing trees in the right environment and habitat, so that they grow to their full potential.”
Ms Pairi said in the last four months, the group had planted about 2000 plants (riparian) along the awa. Species included koromiko, manuka and makomako.
Mrs Aubrey said Conservation Week was a really cool way for people to be get back in touch with what was happening on the whenua.
“We have a lot of people who have taken time to sit and reflect and places like the Domain have become a real refuge in some crazy times we have been in over the past few years.
“I think Conservation Week is about really spreading some awareness, engagement and enjoyment around how beautiful our natural native areas are.”
Filmed and Edited by
Ben Cowper
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