Willowbank Wildlife Reserve is working to ensure more young people can experience hands-on conservation learning, regardless of financial, social or geographic barriers.

Across Canterbury, many schools face challenges accessing outdoor and environmental education due to cost, transport or limited resources. Willowbank helps remove these barriers through subsidised visits, partnerships with schools and community groups, and inclusive education programmes.

By connecting students directly with native wildlife, conservation projects and expert knowledge, Willowbank transforms conservation from a classroom concept into a real-world experience.

Through the Willowbank Foundation, this work will continue to grow — inspiring a new generation of kaitiaki to protect Aotearoa New Zealand’s wildlife and wild places.