On Sunday, the Department of Ecology hosted a Nature Picnic. Families were encouraged to come out to Lincoln University with a picnic and participate in several activities. Kids could locate a target with a radio transmitter receiver, handle weta, smell the difference between a rhino and giraffe pooh, compare bite marks from different pest mammals, throw flax darts and much, much more.

There were talks by Steve Wratten (on beneficial insects) and Tim Curran (on turtles and pythons) as well as a scavenger hunt and bike tour. Insects brought from home or captured during the day were identified by our handy-dandy experts. The weather was good enough and about a hundred kids and families spent several hours immersed in science. Mission accomplished!