Bioblitz – Grovetown Lagoon
Enviroschools and Junior Landcare joined up again in term 4 to give the opportunity for rangatahi to become scientists in a Bioblitz at Grovetown Lagoon.
Biodiversity brings to mind thoughts of remote, wild places full of extraordinary animals and plants. While wild areas are rich in biodiversity, we can easily overlook the variety of species that surround us every day in easy to reach, local spaces – even on the school playing field. Did you know that New Zealand has 2000 species of spiders and you are likely to find one million spiders in one hectare of paddock land!
Angela, Wendy (NZ Landcare), Rosanne and Justine (Wetland Warriors) welcomed rangatahi from Queen Charlotte College and Seddon School into one of the earliest restoration sites at the Grovetown lagoon behind the Wairau Rowing Club. They arrived full of excitement about uncovering what called the lagoon home. To settle into the environment, Wendy led the rangatahi in a quiet reflection noticing 5 things, hearing 4 things and feeling 3 things in the beautiful landscape surrounding them.
Armed with a bag containing magnifying glasses, collection containers, identification books and recording sheets, groups of children explored different areas. Using the Seek app they were able to quickly identify plants, insects, and fungi within their chosen 1 m square before widening their search to explore more of the lagoon landscape.
As you can imagine, leaf litter was inspected and logs and stones were overturned to find insects, bark studied and leaves turned over to identify plants. Discoveries were shared; containers holding precious insects taken to other groups, leaf samples passed around and calls to come quickly heard from within the ngahere.
Bioblitz record sheet
When recording sheets were full, rangatahi were invited to choose a plant, bird or insect they found and dig deeper into the Seek app to find out more about it.
The bioblitz finished with a reflection of their favourite part of their afternoon, the species they had found, and something new they had seen or learnt.
Heeni – It was fun learning about the different bugs and creatures.
Khali – I liked using the app to identify the creatures and trees. I liked using the magnifying glass, looking up close at the bark on the trees.
Lee – The activities were hands on and it made it fun.
Matty – It was fun finding the bugs in the scrub. I was surprised there were lots.
They were all definitely keen to share their new skills and organise a bioblitz with their school to investigate what is living in their school environment and use it as a way to monitor how the action they take at school improves the biodiversity at their school. We can’t wait to hear what you find!
Thank you to Junior Landcare, supported by the Bupa Foundation, for partnering with us to provide a fun-filled event where rangatahi can contribute to their community and learn more about the environment they live in and want to take care of.
Junior Landcare, a national initiative by NZ Landcare Trust – Ngā Matapopore Whenua and supported by the Bupa Foundation, aims to promote holistic health and environmental stewardship through nature connection and intergenerational collaboration, with the goal of effecting positive change.
Common Bag Moth – Whare atua. The adult moth is rarely seen. At night the caterpillar (still inside its bag) eats leaves of manuka and broom.