Students from four primary schools – Ōhaupō, Rukuhia, Kaipaki and Tamahere – joined residents of Hamilton’s Bupa Foxbridge Village to find out more about Waikato’s waterways.
Year 6 pupils Shiya Gong and Emma Cathcart from Tamahere Model Country School, along with Ric Balfour, Coordinator of Landcare Trust, educating students about environmental DNA. Photo: Supplied.
Using environmental “eDNA” technology with AquaWatch’s Waka monitoring equipment, the team collected samples from the Mystery Creek Catchment.
They evaluated key health indicators, including dissolved oxygen levels, turbidity, temperature, pH, conductivity, and the presence of various organisms.
eDNA is a scientific method that extracts organisms from water samples for analysis against a species list. The results help researchers and catchment groups identify present or missing native species and detect unseen invasive pests in our streams.
The event was hosted by the NZ National Fieldays Society at Heritage Village, Mystery Creek Event Centre, NZ Landcare Trust and the Bupa Foundation.
It was organised as part of the national Junior Landcare programme, an initiative which aims to foster intergenerational connections through a shared commitment to environmental stewardship.
Students from the four school, alongside Bupa residents, participated in activities focused on eDNA, river water monitoring, and the Adopt-a-Stream programme.
They explored initiatives around the recovery of abandoned vehicles from the Waikato River.
NZ Landcare Trust Waikato catchments coordinator Ric Balfour said watching as children learn more about what is in their environment and waterways was inspiring.
“I’m excited about advancing the Mystery Creek Junior Landcare Legacy project.
“It’s crucial for us to encourage our youth to connect with their local catchment. By empowering them with education, we aim to provide them with mindfulness tools that enhance their health and well-being. Being connected to our land, our whenua, is crucial for all children.”
New Zealand National Fieldays Society Community and Sustainability executive Janine Monk said it was wonderful to have everyone working together, learning more about the waterways that run through the venue.
Year 8 students from Rukuhia School, Max Goodson (left) and Tarn Joritani (right), are engaging with the Adopt a Stream pack provided by Natalie Jessup, General Manager of Tāngaro Tuia te Ora, the Endangered Species Foundation. Photo: Supplied.
