I learned so much about the work being done to protect and restore Aotearoa’s only endemic bird of prey at Kārearea Falcon Trust. Through a combination of video presentation and keeper talk in the modern, spacious education space, “The Nest,” I learned about the important differences between kārearea and kahu — from their appearance and hunting styles to the unique ecological role each species plays. The Trust combines advocacy, education, rehabilitation, and restoration breeding to help rebuild wild kārearea populations.

We were then taken through the aviary and rehabilitation facilities where injured birds are cared for and breeding pairs are managed in the hope of releasing future generations back into the wild. My absolute highlight was a close-up encounter with Scout, the Trust’s advocacy bird. Seeing a kārearea up close was an unforgettable experience. A reminder of the importance of species conservation, education, and advocacy to create meaningful connections between people and our native wildlife.

I visited the Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust and Peacock Springs, a unique captive breeding facility focused on conservation breeding programmes run in partnership with the Department of Conservation, ensuring native species are bred and reared specifically for release back into the wild. This visit was organised by The Brook Waimārama Sanctuary as the Trust is closed to the public.

The waterways throughout the site create ideal habitat for freshwater species and also support aviaries holding some of Aotearoa’s most endangered birds, including kāki (black stilt), pāteke, whio, kākāriki karaka, and tarapirohe (shore plover). The wider Isaac site covers around 1100 hectares, including about 85 hectares of restored quarry land that has been carefully rehabilitated and repurposed for conservation work.

The Trust focusses on both fauna and flora conservation, with large-scale native re-vegetation and ecological restoration projects happening across the property, including riparian planting along waterways such as the Ōtūkaikino catchment, helping rebuild natural habitats over time.

What really stood out is how carefully the site is managed. Peacock Springs is closed to the public, which reduces disturbance and allows the birds to breed more successfully. The aviaries are designed to closely replicate natural environments, supporting better breeding outcomes. The Trust also works with the University of Canterbury and Lincoln University, supporting research and postgraduate conservation scholarships that help develop future conservation scientists.

The vision behind it all goes back to Sir Neil and Lady Diana Isaac, whose plans for the McLean’s Island property have grown into one of the most significant quarry restoration and conservation projects of its kind anywhere in the world. Today, the Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust continues that legacy as a self-funding charitable trust, dedicated to protecting and restoring New Zealand’s native flora and fauna for the long term.

A visit to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve provided a comparison to the smaller scale operation at Natureland. I spoke with Community Engagement Manager Shaun Horan, who shared the history of Willowbank from its earlier days, when the reserve would take in almost any animal or plant, native or exotic, to the much more intentional and conservation-focused approach it has today. Every aspect of the site is now carefully managed, from species selection to habitat restoration and education programmes.

One of the most impressive changes has been the ecological restoration of the grounds themselves. The reserve has been replanted almost entirely in native species, to the point where seeds can now be sustainably collected from the site. Shaun explained how the waterway running through the reserve — a tributary of the Styx River — has been cleared and restored with riparian planting. Some viewing areas have even been backfilled to improve natural stream flow and support the return of species such as tuna. It was a great example of how a wildlife park can also function as an active restoration project within an urban environment.

While Willowbank still houses a number of exotic species, their role is now much more considered. Some have simply been part of the reserve for decades, while others, such as lemurs, contribute to international satellite breeding populations for threatened species. A major focus of Willowbank’s work is now on taonga species, including breeding programmes for release projects involving kākā and kākāriki. As a privately owned organisation, Willowbank also offers outreach to schools and is increasingly involved in wider community conservation initiatives, sharing expertise and resources beyond the reserve itself. Willowbank is  home to the country’s largest captive kea flight, which is regularly used by international researchers studying kea cognition and behaviour. They are also increasingly working to frame Willowbank as a narrative space that tells the story of Aotearoa’s ecological history, including both native species and the impacts of introduced wildlife over time.

Toroa are the world’s largest seabirds. They usually breed on remote offshore islands and spend at least 85% of their lives at sea, well away from land and humans. Dunedin’s Taiaroa Head is the only mainland Royal Albatross breeding colony in the world and it was exciting to see them so close.

Albatross from this colony travel vast distances from their breeding grounds to the coast of Chile to feed on squid and octopus near the surface. With a massive three metre wingspan, Northern Royal Albatross easily fly an estimated 190,000 kilometres a year using a process called dynamic soaring where they lock their wings out in place and fly into the wind to gain height before turning and flying with the wind to gain speed, allowing them to travel far without expending much energy.

Albatross do things slowly - they lay only one egg per pair every two years. The parents share incubation duty as it lasts a period of 80 days!. It takes eight months for the little fluff balls to become not so little juveniles, and finally take their first ever flight .

NZ Marine Studies Science Centre is based in Dunedin but has an outreach prorgamme based at the Nelson Yacht Club.

Educator Glenis Paul offers shore based programmes including three modules from Rūnā. Schools can opt to engage with Rūna for half a day and sailing for half a day. 

Beneath the building, kororā (little blue penguin) are being monitored with trail cams and protected with nesting boxes made by local students.

The programme emphasises experiential learning. Rather than simply learning about marine ecosystems in a classroom, students are encouraged to observe tidal zones, collect data, identify species, and ask scientific questions in real-world contexts. This makes the learning feel authentic and highlights how fieldwork skills are an important part of marine science and environmental monitoring.

The location at the Nelson Yacht Club also created a unique connection between recreation, education, and conservation. Boats, wildlife, scientific equipment, and school groups all shared the same space, reinforcing the idea that humans are part of coastal ecosystems rather than separate from them. It was a great example of how environmental education can happen in active community spaces and inspire stronger stewardship of local marine environments.

The Science Centre at Tūhuru (Otago Museum) is an incredible resource with a range of exhibitions, workshops and public talks as well as a hands on science area aimed at tamariki, whānau and school groups.

As part of a visit to the Science Centre, I visited the Tropical Forest to view live butterflies and other exotic species. We were able to speak at length with the keeper.

The visit also highlighted the balance museums and science centres often have to strike between engagement and conservation. Exotic tropical butterflies create an immediate “wow factor” that draws visitors in, but it also prompted interesting discussion around biosecurity, sustainability, and which species are prioritised in public science spaces. It made me think about the potential for future exhibits focused more heavily on native invertebrates and the unique adaptations of Aotearoa’s own moths, butterflies, wētā, and other endemic species.

Highlights of my visit behind the scenes at Wellington Zoo were touring the nutrition department with Jeremy O'Brien and chatting to Conservation Manager Dr Ox Lennon about the efforts being made to save our endemic skinks and geckos. Hosted by lead zoo educator Charles Wilson, I was able to observe a 3 group rotation of junior students working with 3 educators. The focus was on adaptations and the groups moved through talks on otters, tuatara and gibbons, looking at the different habitats, noticing how the animals had different bodies to suit their habitats and discussing physical, behavioural and physiological adaptations.

The Zoo aims for zero waste, calculating animal diets, composting, worm farms and following a careful purchasing kaupapa.

They work closely with Zealandia, DoC and other conservation organisations to breed for release, rehabilitate injured animals and 

Birdlings Flat is scientifically significant because it is part of an active coastal and river sediment system that links the Southern Alps to the Pacific Ocean. Gravel and stones are eroded from mountain rocks, transported by braided rivers such as the Waimakariri and Rakaia, and then reshaped by powerful waves along the coast. This makes Birdlings Flat a clear, real-world example of how erosion, transport, and deposition work together in the rock cycle over time.

It is also an important site for studying coastal geomorphology, particularly the formation and movement of shingle barrier beaches. Birdlings Flat forms part of Kaitorete Spit, a dynamic environment shaped by strong wave energy and longshore drift. Scientists study this area to understand how coastal landforms change, how barrier systems develop, and how they interact with nearby freshwater systems like Lake Forsyth and Te Waihora (Lake Ellesmere).

In addition, the area holds valuable geological records of past environmental events. Sediment layers preserve evidence of historical natural hazards such as tsunamis, helping scientists reconstruct past coastal impacts and improve hazard predictions for the future. 

We visited a free geogology museum which made me think about students collecting rocks and how we could use this interest to start an identification table at school.

Up the Cable Car in the Wellington Botanic Garden is the city’s main public astronomy centre. Inside, it has a digital planetarium (full-dome theatre), interactive space exhibits, and a historic telescope that visitors can use for night-sky viewing. It’s the modern public-facing version of Wellington’s older observatory system, which was originally known as the Carter Observatory.

We veiwed the Matariki display and learned about navigation and way finding.