School did the Whitebait Connection in Term One, 2011 with coordinator Kim Jones. The term kicked off with a bang when Kim Jones visited the school to deliver WBC intros including an introduction to freshwater biodiversity, a game of 'Whitebait Run' and getting prepared for a visit to the Otepapa Stream.
Four Year 3 and 4 classes investigated their local catchment and to their delight, found that it is quite healthy and is home to a thriving population of Freshwater Crayfish (Koura)! They also found Mayflies, Dobsonflies and Stoneflies to name a few. Awesome water quality here is helped by the awesome wetlands at Hurupaki School and the large remannts of big trees besdie the stream that cool and filter the water and provide food and habitat.
Here's their stream study results. Now they're planning a planting day and clean up at the stream.