National Education Programme Based on Society's Nature Reserve at Bushy Park

Forest and Bird, Issue 303, 1 February 2002, Page 10

National Education Programme Based on Society's Nature Reserve at Bushy Park

YVONNE AIREY

‘ ee undreds of New J. 1. Zealand school students have this past year been part of a hands-on, Learning Experiences Outside the Classroom (LEOTC) programme, at the Society’s Bushy Park Forest Reserve near Wanganui. The aim is to assist students at all primary, intermediate and secondary levels to develop ‘environmental and scientific’ skills and attitudes. In 2001, the first of a threeyear contract with the Ministry of Education, 1896 pupils have participated in the one-day LEOTC programme — 79 classes from 26 schools. An even greater number is expected in 2002. The programme is no ‘day junket’ — every student who fe:

visits is tested on their knowledge of the history and fate of New Zealand’s flora and fauna. Conservation is presented as a viable way to preserve our flora and fauna for future generations. An interpretation centre details the plants, birds, insects and other animals to be found in this unique piece of rainforest and adjoining wetland. A nature trail contains informative plaques. A trained secondary school teacher from Wanganui College, Terry O’Connor, is funded four days a week by the Ministry of Education to run the programme. On the fifth day, the Bushy Park Homestead and Forest Trust employs him on predator control, managing the property as if it were a

‘mainland island’. Trust board member Stan Butcher of Lower Hutt says this ‘forest ranger’ role has helped toward the virtual elimination of predators (possum, ship rat, mustelids, cats and magpies) from Bushy Park and, as a consequence, in August the Department of Conservation allowed the release of 28 North Island robin from the Waimarino Forest. Most appropriately, the first robin released has been named ‘Stan’. A distinguished life member of the Society and chair of Lower Hutt Forest and Bird, Stan Butcher first saw Bushy Park in 1981 and was ‘captured by the place’ He ran a campaign to have it preserved

and since 1994, the homestead of Bushy Park has been administered by a dedicated Trust. Originally Bushy Park was the home of G Frank Moore who gifted the bush to the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society in 1960, then the house in 1962, believing the Society would be best able to ensure the future preservation of his beloved bush. The Society has retained ownership of the actual bush, its ‘core business and the historically registered Edwardian homestead on the property is now a licensed restaurant and offers commercial accommodation.