Education
Inspiring the next generation is the first line of defence in our conservation efforts.
Our aim is to enhance understanding of our connection with the land and mauri (life force), and of the importance to human beings of a harmonious biodiversity.
We provide school visits, outreach events in the community and downloadable education resources. Learn about our translocations, read our growing collection of species information pages or join our Junior Ranger program for year-round fun.
EDUCATION IN THE SANCTUARY
Through our education work the Sanctuary is inspiring the next generation; we’re working with Te Tau Ihu (Top of the South) schools and training providers to be actively involved in conservation activities, allowing ‘learning by doing’.
Our fully equipped Beech Glade classroom is an ideal space from which to watch and listen for birds. Made possible through the generosity of one of our local iwi, Ngati Kuia, & Transpower this immersive classroom even has wifi and class sets of binoculars!
Download Educational Resources
The Sanctuary is passionate about inspiring our next generation. We’ve created various educational resources for you to download.
- See our range of educational resources around freshwater environments and wildlife
- Read our growing collection of species information pages, some with downloadable PDFs
- Download our beautiful colouring-in sheets created by our talented Biosecurity Officer, Steffi!
- Download seasonal kids newsletters with colouring, activities and information about the wildlife in the Sanctuary. These are sent out quarterly to our Junior Rangers – an annual membership just for kids aged 5+.
What’s here?
Meet some of our amazing residents and our incredible flora. Read our species pages and download our species PDFs.
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Come to the Sanctuary and spot some of these amazingly colourful fungi! 🍄
Waxcaps or Gliophorus are a very colourful genus, and often showcase a gelatinous, thick cap. There are twelve species to be found in Aotearoa, a lot of them endemic which means they are only found here.
Keep an eye out on your next visit; you might just discover one of these fascinating forest gems hiding among the leaf litter!
📷Photo credits: Chelsea (green Gliophorus), Henry (pink waxcap) and Steffi (Yellow and Orange fungi).
#Fungi #Waxcaps #Gliophorus #Aotearoa #NativeBiodiversity #NatureDiscovery #SanctuaryLife
Jun 25
🌱Explore the Sanctuary as much as you like!
There has never been a better time to sign-up as a Sanctuary member!
Membership gives you unlimited access to the Sanctuary while directly supporting the protection of native wildlife. Your contribution helps keep this unique 690ha forest safe and thriving.
Our memberships are annual, either as an individual or a family or we offer an individual lifetime subscription. Every membership helps protect native wildlife, restore precious habitat, maintain biosecurity systems, and support the return of rare species to the Nelson region.
✨ Unlimited Sanctuary access - during opening hours
✨ Priority access to events and experiences
✨ Monthly Sanctuary updates and stories
✨ Direct support for conservation
Belong to something wild - Become a member today.
https://www.brooksanctuary.org.nz/support-us/membership
#BrookWaimaramaSanctuary #BelongToSomethingWild #ConservationNZ #NelsonNZ #ProtectNature #PredatorFreeNZ
Jun 24
Immerse yourself in nature. Plan your visit to the South Island’s largest ecosanctuary. Explore our facilities, walking trails and meet our residents.
Entry fees are invested back into the Sanctuary which plays a crucial role in supporting all of our conservation activities and initiatives. Your admission fees go directly to our ongoing efforts to restore and develop this unique environment and ecosystem.
Jun 23
𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞. 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 🍃
Gather at The Beech Glade classroom, within the beautiful Brook Waimārama Sanctuary, for a gentle and grounding hour of guided meditation in nature this Sunday, 28th June - 9:00am–10:00am.
This session weaves together simple seated and walking practices designed to help focus and quieten the mind, supporting a deeper experience of presence and awareness. Surrounded by the sounds and stillness of the natural world, you’ll be invited to slow down, reconnect, and come home to Presence.
🌳 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧: Sunday, 28th June - 9:00am–10:00am
💦 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: Meet at The Glade (please arrive 15 mins early to allow time to walk in)
🔥 𝐊𝐨𝐡𝐚: $5–$10 donation, paid in cash directly to meditation teacher
🍃 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: Not required, just turn up to the session.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠:
➡️Something comfortable to sit on such as a cushion or folded blanket (There are some plastic chairs and wooden benches available. If you wish to sit on the floor you may wish to bring a yoga mat as well)
➡️A blanket to keep warm
➡️Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐖𝐚𝐢𝐦ā𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐚 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲:
🌳Sanctuary Members: Free of charge as per annual membership
🌳Non-Sanctuary Members: Early-bird special of $10 per adult (This provides an opportunity for guests/visitors to explore after the session)
All are welcome—whether you’re new to meditation or have an established practice.
@kalyan_yoga_nz
Jun 22
🔊 You’ll usually hear kākā before you spot them.
That scratchy, excited call from the canopy is often your first clue.
Listen for the harsh, rhythmic “ka-aa” as they fly above the forest canopy, or a sharp, grating “kraak” if they’re disturbed. They also have a range of loud, musical whistles that can vary from place to place.
Then look up for a large, olive-brown parrot cutting between trunks and branches, often quicker than your eyes can track.
How to spot them:
🌳Movement: a chunky forest parrot shape, often climbing and clambering rather than perching still
🐦Watch for colour in flight: a warm red-orange flush under the wings when they take off
🍂Check the ground: “falling fragments” like chewed seed pods, shredded bark, and nibbled plant pieces can mean a kākā has been feeding above you
Save this for your next walk, and tag someone who always hears birds but never sees them.
All six kākā were bred and raised at the Dunedin Botanic Garden Aviary as part of the South Island Kākā Captive Breeding Programme.
Kākā are unique to Aotearoa and nationally vulnerable, with populations heavily impacted by introduced predators. Releasing them into a pest-free sanctuary with ideal habitat, including old-growth beech forest, gives them the best chance to thrive.
This translocation was carried out in partnership with @ngatiapakiterato,@natureland_wildlife_trust @world_parrot_trust @docgovtnz
📷 Photo: Nancy Holden
#WelcomingKākā #kākā #theSanctuary #BrookWaimāramaSanctuary #nativebirds #conservationnz #nelsonnz #tetauihu #ngahere
Jun 19
Rotomairewhenua (aka. Red-band kākā) was in a very sneaky mood. Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō
Jun 19
