TOSSI – Education in the park

TOSSI has for many years had an education and awareness strategy. It was created from the understanding that TOSSI has an important role in raising awareness about the threats to the environment and endemic species. However, raising awareness has little impact or outcomes without providing an opportunity to learn about what can be done to eliminate or at least minimise those threats.

Many schools from Auckland use the park for their outdoor education activities or science topics.

Tertiary students also run field trips to support their studies. When schools make inquiries with Auckland Council to use the park for these purposes, they are directed to TOSSI to find out what we can contribute to enhance their learning experiences.

TOSSI is fortunate to have among its volunteers several retired teachers to provide an informative learning programme for school groups visiting Tāwharanui on a day trip, or staying for a few days in the campground. The volunteer educators give talks on the birdlife found in the sanctuary, the various habitats they live in, the predator control required to protect them, and the revegetation being done to improve their food sources and nesting capacity. The TOSSI education trailer is an excellent interactive resource for engaging students, giving them visual and auditory examples of what can be seen and heard. A display of taxidermied predators gets a lot of interest, as does a demonstration of the traps used to kill them.

These interactions are also an opportunity to teach young people about the importance of ‘giving back’ through service by volunteering. The hope is that some will be inspired to return to the park, perhaps with their families, to join a public planting day. Potentially, students might extend their interest into related careers. They may even one day become a TOSSI volunteer, and then the circle will be complete.

Contact news@tossi.org.nz