Case Study: Wildlife Foxton Trust and One Welfare

Abstract

The aim of this participatory research was to assist the Wildlife Foxton Trust to achieve its primary mission: to contribute to the wellbeing and flourishing of wildlife in the Foxton area and Aotearoa / New Zealand. The Trust believes in “Education by Example” (Wildlife Foxton Trust, 2023) and engages with local schools to develop and foster an ongoing commitment to the flourishing of native species in the Foxton area and in all of Aotearoa / New Zealand. To facilitate this, the Trust maintains populations of the less glamourous’ native species such as skinks, geckos, fish and insects, which children can observe and learn about. The Trust is also home to several introduced species, such as sulphur-crested cockatoos (Cacatua galerita), a brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) and a few non-native lizards, such as an Australian blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua scincoides) and a bearded dragon (Pogona barbata). Education is provided about these exotic animals with an emphasis on those which pose a threat to Aotearoa / New Zealand’s native animals. The objective of this project was to facilitate codevelopment of educational resources and approaches with the Wildlife Foxton Trust staff and visiting schools, which have a focus on promoting care of wildlife in the area. An important aspect of the project was identifying the need for education about the impact of family pets on native wildlife species, and the need for responsible pet ownership to ensure the wellbeing and flourishing of wildlife in the Foxton area and Aotearoa / New Zealand.