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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@brooksanctuary
Share your photos with #brooksanctuary
EXPERIENCE THE SANCTUARY AFTER DARK – 25% OFF! 🌿✨
Step beyond the gates and into a forest transformed by night.
Join us for “A Night in the Forest,” our guided night tour through Brook Waimārama Sanctuary, where you can discover glowing glowworms, listen to the sounds of the nocturnal forest, and keep your ears open for the distinctive call of a kiwi. 🥝🌌
Along the way, hear how the Sanctuary’s conservation work helps restore native forest and protect some of Aotearoa’s most precious wildlife.
🎟️ GET 25% OFF: book your night tour for August or September 2026 and use code NIGHT25.
✨ New bookings only.
🌿 Every booking helps support the Sanctuary and its conservation work.
🌙 Spaces are limited.
Book now: www.brooksanctuary.org.nz/visit/guided-tours-experiences
Come after dark. Discover a different side of the Sanctuary. 🌌
#brookwaimāramasanctuary #sanctuaryafterdark #nelsontasman #nelsonnz #explorenelson #visitnelson
Aug 24
Our friends at Teltrac showed up the other day with a gift. Teltrac and GoWifi have been helping us set up our new fence monitoring system. The new system is now capable of monitoring the weather for us too, thanks to the weather station the they have donated.
We have mounted the weather station above the fence at the top of the Sanctuary. The data from it include rain intensity and accumulation, wind speed and direction, temperature, humidity, UV index and more. It will allow rangers to make more informed decisions before going into the field during bad weather. Knowing exactly how bad it is up on the ridge when we are called out during storms will really help keep our rangers safe.
Many thanks for your continued support!
Aug 11
EXPERIENCE THE SANCTUARY AFTER DARK – 25% OFF! 🌿✨
Step beyond the gates and into a forest transformed by night.
Join us for “A Night in the Forest”, our guided night tour through Brook Waimārama Sanctuary. Discover glowing glow worms, listen to the sounds of the nocturnal forest, and keep your ears open for the distinctive call of a kiwi. 🥝🌌
Along the way, hear how the Sanctuary’s conservation work is helping restore native forest and protect some of Aotearoa’s most precious wildlife.
🎟️ GET 25% OFF
Book your night tour for August or September 2026 and use code: NIGHT25
✨ New bookings only
🌿 Every booking helps support the Sanctuary and its conservation work
🌙 Spaces are limited
👉 Book now: www.brooksanctuary.org.nz/visit/guided-tours-experiences
Come after dark. Discover a different side of the Sanctuary. 🌌
#BrookWaimāramaSanctuary #WaimāramaSanctuary #SanctuaryAfterDark #NightTour #NightInTheForest #NelsonNZ #NelsonTasman #VisitNelson #ExploreNelson
Aug 10
The Sanctuary is nestled into what seems like an untouched forest of around 166,000 hectares! The Richmond forest however, is not untouched by the paws and hoofs of invasive mammals. The understory is thin, dominated by inedible crown ferns and horopito. Mistletoes are sparse, snails are munched, and birds are few and far between.
This video depicts the stark contrast between forest that has never received pest control, and the pest-free Brook Waimārama Sanctuary. The Sanctuary`s plant and bird communities have bounced back incredibly after 9 years without mammalian pests. Listen to the overwhelming sounds of korimako, tūī, and even the kākāriki karaka that narrowly escaped extinction.
We expect that in 9 years from now, the Sanctuary will look even more starkly different, with mistletoes taking over the forest, kākā reigning the skies, and a wildly diverse birdsong.
#brookwaimāramasanctuary
Aug 10
✨ When the lights go out, the stars come alive... 🌌
On a clear night, the skies above Brook Waimārama Sanctuary put on an unforgettable show. Framed by native forest the Milky Way stretches overhead in all its glory, creating a truly magical experience.
Join one of our Night Tours and discover the Sanctuary after dark. Listen for the calls of our nocturnal wildlife, experience the forest in a whole new way, and, if the skies are clear, look up for a breathtaking view of the stars.
🌟 Clear skies. Native forest. Wildlife after dark.
🌿 A night you`ll never forget.
📍 Book your Night Tour and experience Brook Waimārama Sanctuary after sunset - tours run throughout the year!
www.brooksanctuary.org.nz/visit/guided-tours-experiences
@nelsontasmannz
#BrookWaimaramaSanctuary #NightTour #DarkSky #MilkyWay #Stargazing #NatureNZ #NelsonTasman #VisitNelson #Conservation #newzealandnature
Aug 8
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, 9 August - 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.
Aug 6
