Te Pahu Challenge - TREE

Today we started the TREE challenge of our Te Pahu Challenge. This challenge involves gathering seed, sowing it, and nurturing its growth throughout the year. This morning we went to the Kaniwhaniwha Reserve with some of our local experts; Nardene, Maxine and Craig. They taught us many things about the age of our native trees, how they spread their seeds, how do a identify a variety of different seeds and all sorts of other interesting skills and knowledge. We then gathered about 12 different kinds of seeds. It was fascinating the massive variety in what seeds look like from fluffy Pukatea seeds, to big Tawa seed and small Karamu berries. We all gained a greater appreciation for our native plants and the process of reproducing. We then brought the seeds back to school and used our native nursery to sow them. Now we need to keep them moist, watch them germinate, and eventually prick them out into their own pots. One key bit of learning is how long it actually takes for native plants to grow. I think we will think twice about stepping on little growing plants in the forest now as we appreciate how long it takes for them to grow that big. Thank you so much to our parents for helping and especially our experts - you really inspired us with your knowledge and willingness to help.