Enviro Schools
Wetlands
The History of the St Joseph’s Waitara Wetlands
In March 2010, after battling ongoing boggy school fields, the staff initiated a practical learning inquiry with the Senior students, on how to solve the problem. All students submitted ideas and the best solution they all came up with, was to develop wetlands next to the school playing field.
After lots of thinking and designing, a plan as drawn up, supported by some very creative, talented students. The sketch was put out to experts who helped with the final design. The school team of enthusiastic students called “the wetland extreme team” consisting of eighteen Year 7 & 8 students, submitted an application to Project Crimson, Rudd Kleinpaste and the Treemendous Makeover Team, showing why St Joseph’s Waitara deserved the wetland makeover.
The Treemendous Trust , Mazda Foundation and Kids Restore NZ, donated $14,000. Many other people and businesses donated products and their time to help the land return to its original swamp, and to create an authentic learning environment. The whole school community came together and the wetlands came alive with ponds, plants and fish life.
Over the years, the school has worked closely with Enviroschools, the New Plymouth District Council and the Taranaki Regional Council. All aspects of the natural world have been studied in this rich environment, from pond life, bird life and plant life with the most recent focus on a predator free programme.
The Wetlands continue to be a source of inspiration and are very much linked to our Special Character as Kaitiaki of the environment and showing respect for God’s earth.