Bringing Conservation Into the Classroom (with Sally Clegg, Trees for Survival)

When a child says, “Mum, I did something to save the planet,” something shifts - not just in the home, but throughout the local community.

In this episode, we’re joined by Sally Clegg from Trees for Survival, a long-running, school-based programme that’s growing the next generation of environmental changemakers.

Through hands-on reforestation projects, school children are cultivating native seedlings and planting them on retired farmland to stabilise eroded hillsides and restore the edges of waterways. In these places, native trees filter water, anchor soil, and kickstart habitat recovery.

It’s not just about getting plants in the ground. This programme brings conservation into the classroom, giving teachers the tools to connect science, biodiversity, and climate learning with something their students can touch and feel.

Sally shares powerful stories of kids asking big questions, moving landowners to tears, and inspiring parents to act. Some go on to study horticulture or take up conservation careers. Others simply grow up knowing they can make a difference - and that’s where real change begins.

If every school in Aotearoa New Zealand planted 800-1000 trees a year, what kind of future could we grow?

Here are some of the key topics we discussed:

• How Trees for Survival began through Rotary and a global call to protect the planet.
• What makes a planting site ideal for both students and environmental impact.
• How students' views about the value of native trees shifts throughout the programme.
• Real stories of curiosity-led learning, spontaneous karakia, and intergenerational influence.
• What’s expected of landowners, and how many go above and beyond to support student success.
• How Trees for Survival tracks long-term impact.
• How the Ministry of Education could help to scale it nationwide.
• And much more…

👩About Sally:

Sally has worked for the last decade with Trees for Survival, playing an integral part in its evolution from a volunteer organisation to one with a stable funding base. She has worked in a range of roles from seed collection to school shade house deliveries and as a facilitator for the Franklin schools, which has given her a unique perspective on this educational environmental programme.

She views increasing the awareness and appreciation of Aotearoa’s native trees through practical learning and empowering teachers and students as a key strength of Trees for Survival. Sally is continually working to make the programme even better.

🔗Learn more:

• Website: https://www.tfsnz.org.nz
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/treesforsurvival
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/treesforsurvivalnz

🎙️Learn more about the podcast at www.conservationamplified.org