Wanganui teachers went bush recently.
Wanganui teachers spent a day learning what the Bushy Park sanctuary could offer their students.
It was made possible by a community grant from Horizons Regional Council.
The Bushy Park Education Committee, a group made up of local volunteers, invited the teachers out to the park.
Committee members including Robin Paul, former principal of Wanganui East School, and Kevin Booth, from St John's Hill School, were "passionate about getting people out to Bushy Park," said Mr Paul.
"A few years ago, Bushy Park had its own educator, who encouraged school groups to come out on a regular basis and the number of students visiting were in the thousands," says Mr Paul.
"However, since the funding for this educator has been removed, this number has significantly dropped.
"We thought this was a shame when the sanctuary has so much to offer, so a few of our committee members put our heads together to see how we could entice school groups to return."
He said the funding from Horizons was essential for preparing information packs.
"With Horizons' support we were able to get 16 teachers along for the day and gave them a pack Kevin Booth made up, which included a booklet to identify birds, plants and insects, planning templates, links to the teaching curriculum and education for sustainability information."
Horizons environmental educator Helen Thomas said the council "is delighted the Bushy Park Education Committee have taken it upon themselves to get students out to the park.
"Bushy Park is a fantastic educational resource and through the encouragement of the committee, Wanganui teachers will hopefully be able to use it to its full potential."