Nurseries in School
Native Nursery & Restoration Programme
Nurseries in Schools is a hands-on native plant growing and restoration programme that connects students with the journey from seed to forest. Through learning how to grow eco-sourced native plants, students develop practical skills in propagation, restoration ecology, and kaitiakitanga while contributing directly to real restoration projects within their communities.
Tasman Bay Guardians are also the local delivery partner for the Trees for Survival programme, a nationally recognised environmental education initiative that empowers students to grow and plant native trees to restore waterways and landscapes across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Students learn about native ecosystems, rongoā (traditional Māori plant knowledge), seed collection, plant propagation, and the importance of healthy waterways and biodiversity. The programme can range from simple classroom growing projects through to the development of fully functioning school nurseries.
Warning: participation in this programme may result in schools becoming inspired to build their own native nursery. Luckily, we can help with that too.
This programme supports real-world learning outcomes while empowering students to become active environmental guardians for their local awa (waterways), whenua (land), and moana (sea).
School Programme
Programme elements may include:
- Eco-sourcing native seeds
- Seed germination and propagation
- Growing and hardening off native seedlings
- Learning about rongoā and native plant ecology
- Nursery management and plant care
- Planting restoration sites using plant guards / weed mats
- Tree maintenance and weed control
- Catchment restoration and waterway education
Plants grown through the programme are planted into local restoration projects or gifted to landowners, catchment groups, and community initiatives working to improve waterways, biodiversity, and ecosystem resilience across the region.
The programme provides a meaningful, long-term environmental learning journey that connects schools, tamariki, whānau, and communities through practical conservation action.
What's MoTEC up to?
Check out the video to see how MoTEC has set up their native nursery. Interested to know more about this educational programme? Contact us by clicking the button below.