EBM workshop for Marlborough teachers

Sustainable Seas researchers are supporting teachers to pass on ecosystem-based management (EBM) knowledge to the next generation.

Last week (12-13 November) Conrad Pilditch, Simon Thrush, Kura Paul-Burke, Steve Urlich and Eric Jorgensen led a 2-day workshop for 8 science and social science teachers from Marlborough Girls’ College. 

Next year, the school is introducing new sustainability courses for Years 9 and 10. The purpose of the workshop was to build the teachers’ confidence and knowledge in ecosystem-based management, and the 7 principles, so that they can incorporate EBM into the sustainability courses.

This workshop arose from the a long-standing relationship between Sustainable Seas researchers and Melynda Bentley, a teacher at the school.

Day 1: Waikawa 

Waikawa estuary (Credit: Conrad Pilditch)

Day 1 of the workshop kick-started in Waikawa (Credit: Conrad Pilditch)

Kura teaching EBM from a mātauranga Māori perspective (Credit: Conrad Pilditch)

Ian Shapcott and Sylvie Heard from Te Ātiawa o Te Waka-a-Māui Trust (the iwi mandated organisation that represents those Te Ātiawa people who whakapapa to Te Tau Ihu) also attended the day 1 workshop.

Day 2: Field trip to Ocean Bay

Arriving at Ocean Bay (Credit: Nicky Croft)

It's not a marine science field trip if you don't get in the water! (Credit: Conrad Pilditch)

Simon Thrush (project leader of Tipping points and co-leader for Ecological responses to cumulative effects) taking the field trip.

L-R: Simon, Melynda Bentley (taking a video on her phone), Toni Adshead-Borrie (looking down), Katharine Davis, Loretta Roundhill (in the foreground), Deepa Chand (behind Loretta), Kate Grage, Duncan Bond and Conrad Pilditch (Credit: Nicky Croft)

Walking along Ocean Bay beach (Credit: Nicky Croft)