To get a glimpse of citizens’ attitudes towards biosecurity in the marine environment and marine pest detection activities, the programme team run a focus group in collaboration with partner schools in Nelson.
On 10 November 2020 the entire Biosecurity Toolbox programme team got together for our first Annual Programme Day. We reviewed and shared achievements made across all work streams, discussed challenges and opportunities and further strengthened the programme’s team spirit.
We have commenced a series of hands-on activities with partner teachers to introduce them to key concepts in marine ecology and biosecurity, molecular methods and useful resources for incorporation into the schools’ curriculum and for future citizen scientists engaged in molecular biosecurity surveillance.
An educational article on environmental DNA was published in Frontiers for Young Minds journal - a unique open-access scientific journal aimed at younger audiences with scientific articles reviewed by a board of kids and teens.
Our official programme launch event, held over 2 days in November 2019, provided a unique opportunity for the science, Māori and end-user partners to meet and kick-start this shared 5-year research programme.