The Experiencing Marine Reserves programme concept came to life in Northland in 2001. "We wanted to capture the look on the students faces when they came face to face with a large snapper inside the marine reserve in a education programme" EMR was founded by Samara Nicholas and was first piloted in 2002. The Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust (MTSCT) was established in 2002, as a charitable umbrella and support organisation for the EMR and the Whitebait Connection (WBC), our freshwater sister education programme. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
2019-2020 End of season report
Over 1,900 students from 31 different schools and organisations took part in our snorkel experiences with 13 schools participating in the full EMR programme. These snorkel experiences also involved 575 parents and school helpers that supported the students on land and in the water. We ran 8 community events over the summer with a total of 695 participants and 102 volunteers, exploring our local marine backyard through guided snorkel or kayak experiences.
In total, EMR involved 3,279 people in marine conservation in Northland! Check out the full Northland Report
Quotes
“It is great to know that there are lots of people out there teaching us how to care for the colorful sea creatures in the ocean, when I am older I want to be a snorkeler like you, I cannot wait!”– Kerikeri Primary 05/04/16
"Harriet, it is great to know you will be there to help the ocean. But I know you can’t do it on your own. That is why I might be a snorkeller with you Harriet, because the ocean is magical. Harriet you have inspired me" - Student fan mail from Kerikeri Primary
School Stories (a selection)
Whananaki School 2018
Whananaki School participated in the programme thanks to Foundation North. Whananaki School have undertaken some great actions in the community to clean up their estuary thanks to a partnership with Sea Cleaners
Kerikeri Primary School 2016
Action projects were shared/on display at their Matariki celebration night where an estimated 350 community members attended.
Foundation North made a great clip about EMR's work with the Kerikeri Community through EMR
