We develop and deliver educational programmes that inspire our community to embrace stewardship of the natural environment. We seek to empower participants to take on environmental challenges, both locally and globally.

Nurturing our future guardians

Globally, we face unprecedented environmental challenges. It is critical to provide our young people with the knowledge and skills to face these challenges. Our education programmes provide participants with hands-on experiential learning enabling them to ‘think globally and act locally’ in protecting the living environment.

By creating a spark in young people to protect, nurture and restore their local environment, we will empower them to become the future guardians / kaitiaki of Aotearoa.

Educate for Nature: Schools

There are over 3,500 school children across Whakatipu and our goal is to give every one of them an opportunity to learn about and engage in protecting and restoring our landscape.

Our Active Learning Cycle includes: Nursery based learning, School revegetation projects and Walk amongst the trees, our in the field component.

“Thank you for inspiring our tamariki to be kaitiaki of our natural treasures!”

Educate for Nature: Adults

Our adult programmes are delivered through practical hands-on volunteering sessions at our nursery, where volunteers have the opportunity to learn how to grow native plants from seeds and cuttings. Our Lunch & Learn sessions provide bite sized environmental learning, where guest speakers share locally relevant environmental topics in an informal setting.

“There’s always something new and interesting to learn at the nursery… from cleaning and preparing eco-sourced seed, preparing and planting cuttings or pricking out seedlings. Every day is different and it’s very rewarding.”

Educate for Nature: Community Groups

Our community support programme empowers neighbourhood groups with skills and knowledge to establish native plant corridors on nearby public land.

Whakatipu Reforestation Trust mentors community groups and support them with post-planting site visits and annual monitoring.

“WRT have supplied us with 1,550 natives since 2016, providing guidance and support along the way. Thanks to our community’s ongoing efforts, our plants are thriving and native birds are returning.”

Alpine Retreat Community

We need your support

Whakatipu Reforestation Trust is entirely funded by community grants and donations, and supported by our generous community volunteers. To continue to develop and deliver our Educate for Nature programmes (Schools, Adult & Community Groups), we need to secure a minimum of 30 sponsors each year.