Sustainable Futures Biodiversity Guardian Challenge
Become a Biodiversity Guardian!
Biodiversity Guardian Champion Prize: $100 Prezzy Card
Over the Plants and Animals workshops, you explored biodiversity, ecosystems, adaptations, sustainability and how people, nature and the economy are connected. The challenge is designed to help you apply what you learned in the Sustainable Futures Youth Programme by taking real-world action for biodiversity in your home, school and community.
Now it's time to become a Biodiversity Guardian and put your learning into action!
Complete missions, earn points, and submit your evidence for your chance to become the 2026 Biodiversity Guardian Champion.
What is Sustainability Thinking?
Sustainability is about finding solutions that balance the needs of nature, people and the economy. As you complete your missions, think about how your actions affect all three.
How to Enter
- Choose missions from any of the six challenge themes.
- Complete missions worth at least 5 points.
- Record your missions in the Mission Log & Entry Form.
- Collect evidence such as photos, videos, drawings, posters, models, presentations, written reflections, interview notes, voice recordings, or parent/teacher confirmation.
- Complete the Champion Reflection, and complete missions from at least 3 different themes if you wish to be considered for the Champion Prize.
- Submit your entry before the closing date.
Challenge Opens: 1 September 2026 Challenge Closes: 29 January 2027 Winner Announced: 12 March 2027
Information
Mission Themes
Choose missions from any of the six challenge themes:
🌱 Adaptation Explorer
🔗 Ecosystem Detective
⚖️ Sustainability Decision Maker
🦎 Biodiversity Hero
🧪 Young Scientist
🌏 Community Connector
You can complete missions:
✅ Indoors
✅ Outdoors
✅ Online
✅ At school
✅ At home
✅ On a farm
✅ In your community
Mission Levels
🟢 Green Missions = 1 Point
🟡 Yellow Missions = 2 Points
🔴 Red Missions = 5 Points
⭐ Native Species Bonus = +1 Point
How Many Points Do I Need?
✅ Complete at least 5 points to enter.
🥉 Bronze Guardian = 5-9 points
🥈 Silver Guardian = 10-19 points
🥇 Gold Guardian = 20+ points
🏆 Biodiversity Guardian Champion = Best Overall Entry
Challenge Themes & Missions
Want to know more? Download the Mission Handbook for full mission details and activity ideas.
🌱 Adaptation Explorer
- Adaptation Detective
- Survival Matchmaker
- Adaptation Showdown
- Design a Survivor
- Evolution Engineer
🔗 Ecosystem Detective
- Food Chain Finder
- Habitat Hunt
- Web of Life
- Ripple Effect Challenge
- Ecosystem Investigator
⚖️ Sustainability Decision Maker
- Trade-Off Detective
- Different Perspectives
- Supply Chain Detective
- Community Judge
- Mini Conservation Court
- Future Decision Maker
🦎 Biodiversity Hero
- Native Species Spotlight
- Weed Warrior
- Biodiversity Photographer
- Plant for Nature
- Predator Free Champion
- Habitat Hero
🧪 Young Scientist
- Nature Observer
- MRS GREN Mission
- Pollinator Survey
- Tree Detective
- Biodiversity Recorder
- Backyard Scientist
🌏 Community Connector
- Nature Teacher
- Interview a Kaitiaki
- Family Nature Challenge
- Community Kindness for Nature
- Community Champion
Entry information
Evidence Ideas
You can submit:
- Photos
- Videos
- Drawings
- Posters
- Models
- Presentations
- Written reflections
- Interview notes
- Voice recordings
- Parent or teacher confirmation
The Best Entries Will...
Tell us:
- What you did
- What you discovered
- What you learned
- Why it matters
Remember, this challenge is not just about earning points. The strongest entries will show curiosity, creativity, effort, impact and sustainability thinking.
Champion Reflection
To be considered for the Biodiversity Guardian Champion Prize, students must:
✅ Complete missions worth at least 5 points
✅ Complete missions from at least 3 different themes
✅ Complete the Champion Reflection Question
Champion Reflection Question:
What did your missions teach you about the connections between biodiversity, people and the economy?
The Champion will not be chosen simply based on who earns the most points.
Judging Criteria
The Biodiversity Guardian Champion will be judged on:
✅ Understanding
✅ Effort
✅ Creativity
✅ Impact
✅ Sustainability Thinking