Devonport Primary School in Auckland is undertaking a range of conservation projects to support an increase of tree wētā populations in the school grounds.

Ruud “The Bugman” Kleinpaste and Shark Scientist Dr Riley Elliott visited Devonport Primary School to talk to students and teachers about the issues around New Zealand’s Biodiversity and how to increase our respect for all the critters, sharks and organisms that literally run this planet!

Devonport Primary School’s Teacher, Helen Jaworski says both Ruud and Riley were incredible, but the extra day with Ruud was invaluable.

“We got to see our school through Ruud’s eyes and he gave us so many exciting ideas for developing our Akomanga Ngahere and our Treemendous focus. Their visit left the school buzzing with excitement. We wish they could visit again.”

Ruud “The Bugman” Kleinpaste and Shark Scientist Dr Riley Elliott visited St Joseph’s School to talk to students and teachers about the importance of looking after our planet and our biodiversity.

Since the visit, St Joesph’s School in Fielding is undertaking a range of conservation projects to improve biodiversity and help to protect native insects and birds in the school’s local area by building habitats and growing lots of flowering plants.

Senior Team Leader, Teresa McFarlane, says the school community is still buzzing from their visit by the bugman and sharkman!

“The knowledge our tamariki have gained from this visit is immense, with so many sharing their learning with their wider whanau. To see some of our struggling learners so animated and passionate about protecting our animals and the environment is heartening.”

Ruud “The Bugman” Kleinpaste and Shark Scientist Dr Riley Elliott visited Nelson Intermediate School to talk to students and teachers about the importance of sustainability and how they can help to look after the environment.

Since the visit, Nelson Intermediate has been inspired to get involved in a pollination project and a biodiversity initiative where tree weta will be encouraged back in the school’s wild spaces aiming to increase the biodiversity and restore insect life at the school.

Science Technology Engineering Arts and Maths (STEAM) Leader, Sarah Johns, says the visit was a transformative experience for students that expanded their thinking.

“We are grateful for the entertaining and thought-provoking experience that Dr Kleinpaste and Dr Elliott brought to our school. Their visit has left a lasting impact on our students, encouraging them to explore and appreciate the wonders of the natural world.”

Auckland’s Glendowie School is undertaking a series of hands-on outdoor education projects to provide students with a better understanding of their local environment.

Ruud “the Bugman” Kleinpaste and Dr Riley Elliott, Shark Scientist visited the school as part of the TREEmendous Education Programme taking students through an interactive learning experience that highlighted the importance of every animal’s role in our eco-system.

Separately Ruud spent time at the school advising teachers on their future environmental projects and how to use the nearby environment as part of their curriculum and create a “Living Garden” to increase the biodiversity unique to Aotearoa.

Environmental Coordinator at Glendowie School, Rose Phillips says “Rudd and Riley are extremely passionate about their area of expertise, and it was an amazing opportunity to have them come and teach everyone about the impact people have on the world, including the teachers!”

Rhode Street School in Hamilton is embarking on a student-led environmental project to create a medicinal Māori garden.

Known as rongoā, the medicinal garden is part of the school’s Ki te Rongo Mauri Ora Mara project which will help support student’s environmental education and provide health benefits for school whanau and the wider community.

Rhode Street School Principal Shane Ngatāi says the recent visit from Kleinpaste and Dr Elliott inspired students and teachers alike to delve deeper into the living world and the impact of climate change on flora and fauna in Aotearoa.

“The generous donation of 200 native seedlings from the TREEmendous Education Programme has greatly accelerated our school-wide commitment to improving our teaching of ecological sustainability by incorporating mātauranga Māori kaupapa (traditional Māori knowledge) alongside the NZ Science Curriculum,” says Ngatāi.

“The seedlings we planted focus on the native species that support a rongoā (medicinal) Māori garden planted on our ecological island for future generations to use as their teaching medicinal library and resource centre.”

With a vision to encourage students to become kaitiakitanga (guardians) of their natural surroundings, Southbridge School in Canterbury has planted a rongoā (medicinal) Māori garden. A holistic practice that embraces the medicinal properties of New Zealand native plants, the outdoor learning space challenges students to think of ways to encourage native insects and birds to return to the local area.

Ruud “The Bugman” Kleinpaste and Dr Riley Elliott, Shark Scientist recently visited the school to talk to students and teachers about the importance of sustainability and how they can help to look after the environment.

Kleinpaste also spent a second day at the school, spending time with individual classes to practise the iNaturalist initiative and identify biodiversity within the expansive school grounds.

Southbridge School spokesperson Simon Dakers says TREEmendous has had a significant positive impact on the school and its local community.

“TREEmendous has brilliantly supported a local focus on bringing more biodiversity and bird life into our community. We have a lot of excited and engaged students actively seeking nature connections and enquiring into a range of topics based on their newfound knowledge.

“We are hearing many accounts of students going home wanting to find out more about the environment – this sets them up beautifully to be lifelong learners who understand their role as kaitiaki – guardians of the sky, the sea and the land.”

With a vision to save the critically endangered Giant Otago Skink, Strath Taieri School is embarking on a student-led project to restore the local skink habitat.

Ruud “The Bugman” Kleinpaste and Dr Riley Elliott, Shark Scientist visited the school to talk to students and teachers about why these elusive creatures are a key part of our ecosystem and the importance of protecting them.

Ruud and Riley also joined the students and local community at the habitat to spot some skinks and to assist with the restoration project. Strath Taieri School Principal, Jim McArthur, says the project has been the catalyst for some much-needed community connection.

“TREEmendous has already had a huge impact on our school and community and when people not involved or connected with the school talk to me about the work we are doing, TREEmendous is often the first topic of conversation.

“Seeing the big group of parents walking with us up to the skink habitat made me feel like we had done something very cool.”