Begin your pest inquiry here - build background knowledge, assess what students already know, and explore your local environment to understand the current pest situation in Waitaha Canterbury.
Pest education programme
Everything in nature is interconnected. The introduction of a species foreign to our ecosystem can have long-term negative consequences.
An introduced ‘pest’ species may harm native species through predation or competition for habitat and food. However, people’s management of resources over time can also bring about environmental change.
A plant or animal is considered a pest when it is out of place, causing damage or harm to people, property, pets, agricultural production, native plants and animals, taonga species, or the environment.
Our approach to pest management
Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury) provides regional leadership in pest management in Waitaha Canterbury through our biosecurity programme.
Our approach to pest management is guided by the Canterbury Regional Pest Management Plan 2018-2038 which outlines the regulatory requirements for priority pests across the region, and the Biosecurity Act 1993.
Pest education through Enviroschools
We are proud to partner with Toimata Foundation to offer the Enviroschools Programme to Waitaha Canterbury schools.
Enviroschools is an environmental, action-based programme where young people are empowered to design and lead sustainability projects in their schools and early learning centres, communities, and beyond.
Pest education resources
Our pest education resources are organised around the Enviroschools Action Learning Cycle (ALC). The ALC is central to the Enviroschools approach to einquiry-based, action learning and is a key tool for guiding specific projects or units of learning.
Some of our activities and planning templates have been adapted with permission from Enviroschools resources.
We recommend following the ALC, beginning with Identify the Current Situation, and placing emphasis on taking action to bring about meaningful change in our fight against invasive pests in Waitaha Canterbury.
This ‘resource bank’ is designed for you to use what is most relevant to support pest education in schools by providing activities and resources that can be adapted to suit your students’ learning intentions.
The activities in Identify the Current Situation are aimed at upper primary and intermediate students but can be adapted by kaiako (teachers) to suit other year levels.
As students move through the Action Learning Cycle, they will investigate the current pest situation, explore alternatives, take action, and reflect on change.
The Enviroschools Action Learning Cycle
Start to finish: The 4-step path to success
Identify the current situation
If you can’t see what you are after, or if you have any questions, please email our team.