Brook Sanctuary and Museum come together on educational programmes

School children across the Nelson region will have a seamless approach on the theory and practical side of natural history, science, and environmental education, thanks to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) just signed by the Brook Waimarama Sanctuary Trust and the Nelson Provincial Museum.

Rick Field, the BWST Project Coordinator says the Sanctuary and the Museum have been cooperating around delivering high quality educational programmes for quite a while, covering all levels from early childhood to secondary schools.

“Thousands of school children a year visit both of our facilities and we’re excited about taking this partnership to the next level with coordinated curricula and out-of-the-classroom experiences,” he said. “For example kids will experience an exhibit at the Museum about Powelliphanta snails, and then come up to the Sanctuary and learn about the way the giant snails fit into the ecosystem and how pests are being controlled so they can be re-introduced.”

Peter Millward, the Nelson Provincial Museum CEO said it was a great opportunity to team up with the Sanctuary in a more structured way to develop further educational opportunities for the region’s youth.

“At the Tasman Bays Heritage Trust, we see partnering with the Brook Sanctuary as a perfect opportunity to link the high quality educational experiences we offer through the Nelson Provincial Museum with the outdoor classroom and laboratory opportunities found at the Sanctuary,” he said. “We’re thrilled with this new partnership and think it will be of great benefit to the entire community.”

The MOU was signed recently in a ceremony at the Brook Waimarama Sanctuary, with a school group on hand visiting the sanctuary for an educational programme.

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