 |
 |
The people who helped in our Forest
|
||
Campbell's Bay Primary School
Campbell's Bay Community Forest
Sarah Sheeran - environmentalist and greenie
We interviewed Mrs Sheeran by email, because she works a long way away from our school now, and we couldn't go to see her and the fabulous place she works at now.
What have you got to do with our forest?
I was a teacher at Campbell's Bay School (CBS) in 1998, 1999 and 2002. My classes planted trees in the Community Forest each of those years, and I came along to a couple of working bees.
Where do you work now?
I work for the Auckland Regional Council as an Environmental Educator. I work in the Waitakere Ranges at a place called Arataki (which means pathway of learning). Arataki is bang smack in the middle of a huge native rainforest, which is just amazing!
Why did you want to help our Community Forest?
Because I love native plants, trees, birds and insects! I also LOVE CBS, and have very fond memories of my time teaching there! I also believe it is extremely important to look after, and improve NZ's native forest.
Why do you think its important for kids to learn about forests?
Because children are awesome and will be the decision makers of tomorrow! The more the children love and appreciate how important our forests are the better NZ's future will be! I also think the forest has a lot to give us - a place to get back to nature, be calm, relax, play, have adventures, use our imaginations, be outside instead of in front of a TV or computer, and breath fresh healthy air. The forest also provides a place for birds to eat and live, and gives humans food and medicine. The list could just go on and on!
How did you help?
I hope I passed on my passion of the forest and all things environmental to the children I taught.
What things can the teachers do with classes in the forest?
HEAPS of things! Environmental education, art, language, maths, science, technology, social studies, music, and drama.
But most importantly go into it and enjoy the amazing effort everyone has made over the years in improving CBS's little patch of paradise!
What does eco-sourcing mean?
Getting seeds from an area (e.g. CBS) then growing those seeds and eventually planting them back in the area (CBS) where you sourced the seeds from.
What could we do next to help our forest?
Go into the forest a lot and take friends and family in to show them all the cool things that have been done. Share the knowledge with the new children who come to CBS, pass on the love of your native place.
Keep planting, weeding, perhaps looking at what to plant to encourage birds and insects.
What is your favourite type of bird?
Kereru (native wood pigeon), and grey warbler (beautiful song!)
Have you noticed that our trees have got bigger than when you used to work here?
Definitely! But perhaps that is something else you could do - start keeping a database on the size of certain trees, so you can track the growth of different varieties over the coming years.
Click here to go back to Our Project
