Growing futures, together: South Canterbury students learn about water quality

We know a healthy environment doesn’t happen by accident – it takes knowledge, relationships and action. That’s where our Youth Engagement, Education and Enviroschools mahi comes in.

Across South Canterbury, Environment Canterbury is helping students learn about water quality, rivers, wetlands and sustainable farming through hands-on environmental education programmes.

Working alongside schools, teachers and local communities, students are collecting real scientific data and exploring how land use affects the environment.

Taking learning off the page: Students investigate water quality

This isn’t theory, it’s gumboots, data sheets and real questions.

Timaru Boys' High School agricultural science students joined forces with their counterparts at Timaru Girls' High School to explore the Ōpihi catchment, investigating how water quality changes along the river system.

As they moved downstream, they discovered:

• Increasing nitrate levels
• A drop in pH (more acidic water)
• Fewer sensitive aquatic species.

It’s real evidence of how land use connects to water health - and it’s learning that sticks.

Following a full day in the field, the students visited Environment Canterbury to build on their observations and deepen their understanding. They heard from a range of experts, including:

• A Scientist, Land Management Advisor, and Compliance Officer from Environment Canterbury
• A Senior Scientist from DairyNZ
• The Environmental Manager from Opuha Water.

Together, these sessions helped connect their field discoveries with real-world science and land management practices.

“I found that the trip was worthwhile and valuable for my education… I learned how dairy farms operate and how they pick up water quality data.” - Josh (student at Timaru Boys' High School)

The role we play: bringing it all together

These experiences don’t just happen, they’re carefully designed and facilitated to deliver on our core services.

Through our Youth Engagement, Education and Enviroschools Team we:

• Work with teachers to connect classroom learning with on-the-ground learning
• Design and lead field days, guiding students through sampling, testing and analysis
• Set up and support water quality investigations, helping students collect meaningful, reliable data
• Connect schools with farmers, landowners and experts, opening doors to real-world insights
• Translate complex environmental science into accessible, hands-on learning.

It’s about removing barriers and creating opportunities so ākonga can focus on exploring, questioning and understanding.

From riverbanks to farm gates: Connecting students with local experts

A key part of this mahi is whanaungatanga: collaboration across our region. Ākonga (students) aren’t just collecting data, they’re connecting with the people who live and work in these environments.

On field trips, they:

• Visit working farms and hear directly from landowners
• Learn how irrigation, nutrient management and farm systems operate
• Explore solutions like riparian planting and environmental protection
• Engage with Environment Canterbury experts on river restoration and catchment management.

This is where perspectives come together: science, industry and community. 

Hands-on environmental learning across South Canterbury

Across South Canterbury, schools are engaging with their local environments in meaningful ways:

• Ashburton College agricultural science students compare water quality and explore sustainability in the Hinds catchment
• Mt Hutt College geography students analyse river dynamics: from sediment to flow behaviour
• Timaru Girls’ High School geography students investigate wetlands, measuring ecosystem health and understanding their wider significance

Each experience is supported by Environment Canterbury, helping ensure it’s scientifically robust, locally relevant and deeply engaging.

More than a day out: Building environmental knowledge for the future

This mahi reflects who we are and how we work.

• Manaakitanga – supporting ākonga, teachers and communities with knowledge, tools and guidance
• Whanaungatanga – driving collaboration between Environment Canterbury, kura (schools), farmers and the wider community
• Kaitiakitanga – empowering young people to understand and care for their environment.

As one teacher shared: “The students get the opportunity to do research and gather data in a practical setting. It encourages them to think about the environmental impact of dairy farming and see its impact on natural systems.”

Building the next generation of environmental stewards

These aren’t just field trips, they’re part of a bigger picture. By facilitating these experiences, Environment Canterbury is helping to:

• Build environmental literacy across the region
• Support future-focused learning and careers
• Strengthen connections between communities and the environment
• Encourage informed, evidence-based thinking.

Most importantly, we’re helping young people see that they have a role to play.

From setting up water testing to connecting students with farmers, Environment Canterbury plays an active role in bringing this learning to life. It’s collaborative and practical while being grounded in real-world impact. And it’s all part of working together to create a healthy environment - now and for generations to come.

Find out how our Youth Engagement and Education programmes connect students with Canterbury’s environment through hands-on learning.