EMAP gets blitzed!

Students from three central Wellington schools were invited by EMAP to explore Otari-Wilton’s Bush to help celebrate their centenary.  Ninety students from Otari, Wadestown and Cardinal McKeefry Schools descended on the park on March 23rd and investigated various aspects of the soil, atmosphere and the stream, whilst also getting introduced to plants, bugs and lizards!

This event was supported by environmental educators from around the lower North Island, and coincided with a 24-hour species blitz on the historic reserve.  The Otari Bioblitz was a wonderful device to bridge the gap between experts and amateurs.  Designed as part contest, part festival, part educational event, part scientific endeavour, BioBlitz brought together scientists from across the region in a race against time.

Primarily the event was used to generate public awareness of the concept of biodiversity and to show the biological resources that can exist near urban areas.  Additionally the data obtained during the BioBlitz will prove useful as an indicator of the environmental quality and as a baseline for future monitoring or management plans at Otari.

The students spent two-hours at the reserve exploring in the sunshine and at the end of the day everyone had managed to learn many new and exciting things about the environment, biodiversity and environmental monitoring.  On the following Monday their efforts were mentioned on the Good Morning TV show.