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This NZAEE webinar took place on June 10, 2025 in collaboration with the Enviroschools Waikato team.
Our guest speakers included environmental educators and teachers from three schools in the Waikato region. They each shared their stories, projects and programmes, including reflections about why nature connection is important, the benefits they have seen, challenges along the way, practical tips and what keeps them going.
Click on the link on the top left to watch the full recording, with an overview of the order and timing below.
Introduction: Enviroschools Waikato facilitators Adrienne Grant and Sara Taylor, including Adrienne sharing examples of nature connection activities with schools and Sara sharing tips for setting up a bush school in a primary context (6:00 - 13:00).
Pirongia School - Lauren Florence (13:00 - 23:50), sharing their whole school place-based inquiry of their local maunga, with increasing leadership and exploration opportunities as students move up through the school.
Maeroa School - Julie Yeoman and Charles Hume (24:20 - 38:15), sharing their gully restoration project which includes working bees, exploration and integration within curriculum learning.
Forest Lake School - Natalie Friend (38:20 - 54:00), sharing the learning from their kura taiao programme including practical tips and changes seen in students and adults.
Conclusion and Discussion (55:00 - 1:07:00): Adrienne, Sara and Becky (NZAEE) share final tips, including how the Envirschools team supports schools (e.g. resources/kits they can borrow), resources from NZAEE and questions from live participants.
Resources and Links:
Enviroschools national programme available in all regions (search Waikato to get in touch with Adrienne).
NZAEE Nature Connection Spotlight with links to resources, further learning and other nature connection webinar recordings
Little Kiwis Nature Play workshops with Celia Hogan
Book study at Maeroa Intermediate: Cuz, by Liz Van Der Laarse
