Children have been helping to build a better environment along the coast at Maketu this term.

Year 5 and 6 students from Te Kura o Maketu, Paengaroa and Te Puke Primary Schools planted more than 700 plants at Pukehina, Newdicks Beach and Maketu Spit.

The planting days form part of the Maketu Ongatoro Wetland Society Education Programme combining classroom learning and fun field trips on topics ranging from fresh water quality and native fish to life on the rocky shore.

'Last term students learnt about shorebird migrations and the importance of our estuaries to provide food and shelter for the birds. We cut out a wooden flock of birds and each student painted one, these birds are going to go on a mural on the side of Maketu surf club,” says coordinator Tania Bramley.

Te Kura o Maketu planting at Newdicks Beach.

MOWS would like to thank programme sponsors Western Bay of Plenty District Council, Maketu Rotary and Te Puke Kiwi Coast Lions.

Thanks also to Bunnings Te Puke for sponsoring mural materials, local Authors Angie Belcher and Julian Fitter for donating books and Coastcare for supplying plants.

For more information on the programme check out MOWS website www.maketuwetlands.org.nz.

MOWS have two planting days for the public in July: Sunday 9^th, meet 9am at Kaituna Cut car park at the end of Ford Rd.

Saturday, July 29, meeting at 9am Newdicks Beach, end of Town Point Rd. An awesome morning out for kids and adults alike.

Te Puke Primary students learning about native insects prior to their dune planting at Maketu Spit.