“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” Jane Goodall
Educating the younger generation about conservation is crucial for the future of our planet. By creating a love for nature and wildlife, we allow them to become future conservationists who actively care for our environment. As someone who has looked after wild birds for many many years, I always felt it was an important part of my role.
My childhood curiosity – collecting bugs, shells, and skulls – reflected a deep connection to nature. Biology was my favourite subject at school, and I excelled in it. My passion and knowledge will continue, to help our young people see the need for conservation.
Over the years of rehabilitating wild birds, I encouraged kids to visit the bird rescue centre. If they were old enough, they could come and help during weekends, holidays or after school. It was important to me and I loved talking to kids about birds.
I had the privilege of teaching several local kids and it was heartwarming to see that some of them were enthusiastic learners who asked plenty of questions.
Each of them was given a booklet to make notes in. I often had to remind them to use it, and sometimes put questions in there for them to answer about that day’s activities – a two-way exchange of learning and curiosity.
- JJ Twemlow, the Feathered Whisperer:
JJ, first stepped into the trust as an after-school volunteer. Bird handling came naturally to him. And when it came to tricky tube feeding, JJ learned with precision, flowing life back into tiny beaks.
Before leaving school, he earned a Forest and Bird environmental award, a badge of honour for his tireless dedication.
- Arley Bunyan, the Nature’s Apprentice:
Arley, wide-eyed and curious, followed his father’s footsteps – very clever with bird names such as tūī, kererū and many more.
He knew where they could be found and what they ate. Although too young to officially volunteer, Arley often brought me orphans and injured garden birds and was keen to learn how to care for them.
- Solomon, the Hard-Worker
‘Mo’, as we affectionately called him, had hands that knew no hesitation. Dirty jobs? He embraced them. But when it came to slicing sheep hearts for the meat-eating birds, his face twisted in disgust. “Gross!” he’d exclaim, demanding gloves to use for this ‘disgusting’ task. Yet, Mo’s laughter and humour were a joy to lighten a sometimes hard morning.
- The Keen Learners
The Kūaotunu Steiner kindy troupe arrived. Ducklings waddled to greet them. Each child cradled a fluffy bundle, dipping tiny fingers into the water. They learned to use little voices, be gentle and ask one question at a time, and in return I asked them what they learned last time. They loved putting their hands into the mealworm farm and picking out worms to feed some patients.
Teaching children about the natural cycles of life and suffering is an important lesson also.
I gently explained that a cage, though well-intentioned, can never replace the vast skies. An injured bird, confined within those bars, longs for the wild, and the freedom to soar. And so, I whispered to the children: “Sometimes, love means letting go.”
And when the time came – a heartbeat fading – I took the young volunteers to the beach. There, I taught them about cycles. Allowing nature to take its course. The sand, the seas and salt breaking down the remains, and the bird becoming part of the coastal ecosystem once more.
Many more young helpers came and went over the years and I enjoyed each of them, hoping to leave a lasting memory behind.
Please call your local Vet clinic or the DOC hotline, – 0800 362468 for advice when you come across an injured bird.
Words by Annemieke Kregting
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