Sharing the same message
Aongatete Forest Project’s Emma Cronin has set up a ‘predator display’ in the Bee NZ Ltd Wildlife area in Western Bay Museum. This display has a powerful presence and it reflects the success of the predator control work that has been carried out by Aongatete Forest Projects for many years. It also aligns to the Predator Free BOP and brochures can be uplifted by members of the public to ‘join the movement’ and to request free traps for your own backyard. Stoats, weasels, ferrets, rats, possums and a cat make up part of the display, with scenting containers, ink tracking stamps, chew boards and information to encourage awareness and knowledge.
Uretara Estuary Managers also work hard in this area so if we all take action we can play our part in our backyard.
Through funding from BOP Regional Council, Western Bay Museum has a paid Environmental Educator,
Kate Loman-Smith who leads our ‘Treasuring our Place – Taonga o te Taiao’ Programme. This programme allows all Year 5 and 6 students from Katikati Primary to have over 1800 student connections per year with Kate. Our next term theme is Predators and Pest Control. This programme is really successful and the students have many activities all based around the Haiku Park and Uretara Stream. Teachers, parents and students all leave with a much greater insight and knowledge of our own environment. It is exciting, hands-on and great fun, and all within walking distance of school. It is also without any cost thanks to BOP Regional Council, who have covered 75% required to continue this programme for the next year ahead. We are working on funding applications at present to secure the balance of 25%.
As of 1st July, the Museum will be free to all WBOPDC Ratepayers and our hours will return to 10am – 4pm Monday to Friday, and 11am – 3pm Saturday and Sunday.