Outdoor classroom teaching students how to trap pests and predators, monitor habitats

Kilian Boos prepares a spot in a tree for a trap to be set.

Gisborne Boys High School’s Level 2 and 3 environmental studies students have been learning practical predator and pest control techniques outside of the classroom.

GBHS is one of the few schools nationwide that offer the Level 3 standards in pest control and monitoring habitats.

The students have been learning how to monitor the bush for birdlife and the presence of predators at Okitu Reserve.

They have also been taught how to instal and maintain traps to target rats, mustelids (such as stoats) and possums.

Many of the boys are planning to pursue careers or study in farming, pest control and environmental work.

Since December 2022, students have been regularly trapping in the Department of Conservation’s Okitu Bush Scenic Reserve with the support and advice of rangers David Lynn and Joe Waikari.

There are now a good number of pīwakawaka (fantail), tūī, and kererū in the reserve.

They have also started a monitoring project at Makorori headland to determine the presence of birds and predators.

Once the monitoring phase is completed, traps can be installed.

None of the traps contain poisons and are placed away from tracks and have many safety designs.

The traps  are wooden tunnels created by Boys’ High School technology department staff.