Date:  05 September 2017

Milson School holding up the ink pads and tunnels

Russell Street School chew card

2050 is a long time away – and seems even longer when you're only 7 - 9 years old, but the kids were eager to learn about what a New Zealand without possums, rats and stoats would look like.

We talked about how great it would be to see our native wildlife free to roam New Zealand safely again.

The idea of being able to see more native birds, reptiles and insects in the Manawatū got the students excited.

Abi Wightman, DOC Ranger in the Manawatū says it's crucial we teach kids about conservation and get them invested from an early age.

"Once we're gone, it's up to them to look after New Zealand's unique natural environment. This generation will have to pass the baton at some point.

"With every generation, we hope our conservation efforts get better and better."

Students from Russell Street School made chew cards out of corflute and peanut butter (to collect bite marks) and students from Milson Street school set out tracking tunnels (photos attached).

These techniques will help the students identify the main pests on the school grounds so they can figure out which traps and pest control methods will work best.

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