Death and Dying - decomposition and worms. Lots of things help decomposition to happen more quickly: the sun, water, bacteria, fungi and mould - and most importantly worms! Without worms, plants and animals that died would fall to the ground and never disappear. Think what our world would be like with all this dead stuff piling up everywhere! This TuiTime education site is developed by the New Zealand Ecological Society (NZES). Try the multi choice online test on the above.
Permaculture - Permaculture principles focus on ecological connections and closed energy and material loops. The core of permaculture is design and the working relationships and connections between all things. Each component in a system performs multiple functions, and each function is supported by many elements. Key to efficient design is observation and replication of natural ecosystems and increasing the highly productive "edge-zones" within the system. The edge zones of a garden/filed are productive compared to the interiors.
Composting 101 - Compost improves soil fertility and texture, and retains moisture and nutrients. And, it is really easy to do.
Fungi perform important services related to water dynamics, nutrient cycling, and disease suppression. Along with bacteria, fungi are important as decomposers in the soil food web. They convert hard-to-digest organic material into forms that other organisms can use. Saprophytic fungi convert dead organic material into fungal biomass, carbon dioxide (CO2), and small molecules, such as organic acids.
Foliafeed Fertiliser Ltd make their fertiliser from waste materials from the fish processing industry mixed with seaweed lime and phosphate. They believe the more traditionally used sulphuric acid based super phosphates, and petroleum extracts such as raw urea poison the soil.
For those classes who got really interested in worms and are considering setting up a worm farm, good information can be found on the wormsRus / Waste Minimisation Education site.They advise:
A worm farm can be made from any old container such as old baths, tubs, tyres, corrugated iron or you can buy them. Drainage however must be provided, either by drilling holes in the bottom of the container or to collect the run off for a liquid fertiliser drill one hole covered with fine scoria or old carpet. Make sure you place your worm bin on an angle to assist with draining the liquid into a catchment container.
It may be worth contacting your local council to get to see what help they will provide in getting rid of weeds. For example Waitakere's Green Network Community Assistance Programme gives out ginger bags which are collected on kerbside collection days.