Springfield School.
Greendot.
Kids Discovery Plantout Programme.
Project partner: Te Ara Kākāriki Greenway Canterbury Trust.
Springfield School has been actively restoring native habitat through the Kids Discovery Plantout Programme since 2017, creating a legacy of learning, biodiversity, and kaitiakitanga within the school grounds and nearby Tawera Reserve.
Growing Knowledge, Growing Habitat.
Over multiple Plantout days, students have replaced exotic planting with more than 3,000 eco‑sourced native seedlings, establishing forest corridors, lizard habitat, and sheltered areas that support native birds, invertebrates, and aquatic life. Planting has included species such as harakeke, tī kōuka, kōwhai, mānuka, hebe, mingimingi, houhere, and other dryland and riparian plants selected to strengthen biodiversity and improve waterway health.
A key feature of the programme at Springfield School is tuakana–teina learning, with older students paired with younger students to plant together, share responsibility, and learn through connection. Each Plantout day combines hands‑on restoration with environmental education, helping students understand how native planting supports healthy ecosystems.
Learning Through Exploration and Creativity.
Through hands‑on activities, students explored how healthy habitats support wildlife, waterways, and cultural connections to place. These activities included:
- Bird counts and invertebrate monitoring to understand habitat development and water quality;
- investigation of aquatic species that indicate healthy waterways;
- creation of lizard habitats, insect hotels, and bird nesting sites, and
- exploration of mātauranga Māori, including traditional uses of native plants, mahinga kai, and the role of ngahere in sustaining life.
Creative expression is also woven into the day. Students have designed cultural flags and nature weavings using natural materials, celebrating identity, place, and biodiversity. These pieces have been displayed at the school entrance as visible markers of their mahi and commitment to the environment.
Supporting Long‑Term Stewardship.
Plantout days have been delivered with support from Central Plains Water Environmental Management Fund (EMF) and led by Te Ara Kākāriki Greenway Canterbury Trust (TAK), contributing to planning, delivery, plants, and guards. Ongoing partnerships with TAK, Selwyn District Council, and community groups have strengthened stewardship of both the school grounds and Tawera Reserve.
Springfield School students are proud to see the forest they have helped grow over time. Their continued involvement demonstrates how long‑term investment in environmental education and restoration can build thriving habitats, strengthen community connections, and empower young people to care for the places they call home.
