Environment – Future guardians

In the Brynderwyn Ranges, along our stunning coastline and in urban areas, conservation is more than a task – it’s a legacy. At Piroa Conservation Trust, we believe the next generation holds the key to protecting this special place we call home. But engaging youth in environmental stewardship isn’t always easy. Families juggle busy schedules, young people are focused on study and work, and volunteer time can be scarce. Yet, despite these challenges, when young people connect with nature, they step up with passion and purpose.

Over the past several years, our Trust has made youth engagement a cornerstone of our work – partnering with educators and community leaders to bring conservation into classrooms and out into the field. From kindergartens and primary schools to high schools, weekend Rangatahi programmes, and Duke of Edinburgh involvement, our reach now spans Ruakaka to Mangawhai.

It all began with Mangawhai Beach School where we collaborated with Jackie, teacher and Enviro Unit leader, and Alex, from the Shorebird Trust. That early partnership laid the foundation for a growing network that now includes 10 schools, a kindergarten and a range of youth-led initiatives.

November marks a hands-on season for many of the students. It’s the time of year when they get involved in water and bird monitoring, exploring what lives around our beaches, our streams, ponds and wetlands. With bird monitoring taking place just after spring nesting, students are also helping us track the health of native bird populations.

A recent highlight was the Kedge Drive Pond Trip with Mangawhai Beach School and our friends from Whitebait Connection. Students learned to identify species, distinguish pest fish from native ones, understand how plants support or hinder pond health, and measure water quality – what affects it and why it matters. They also explored how invasive weeds spread – all knowledge that builds real-world awareness and action.

At Mangawhai Hills College, and through our Rangatahi programme, students are trained to conduct surveys and assist our volunteers in bird monitoring. Together, we’re tracking year-on-year numbers of native birds such as bellbird, fantail, kingfisher, kākā, tūī, grey warbler and tomtit – species whose presence reflects the success of pest control efforts across the region. These students contribute not only on school grounds, but also at home with their families and out in the field alongside our volunteers.

If you spot a student with a clipboard, give them a wave – they’re helping shape the future of conservation in our community.

What’s most inspiring is the transformation we see in young people once they understand how special this place is. Their enthusiasm is contagious, and their commitment deepens with every experience in the field. These are not just students– they are future guardians of the land.