09 Aug 2005

Sir Peter Blake Youth Environment Forum

Co-hosted by the Ministry for the Environment and the Sir Peter Blake Trust, the forum involved 45 senior high school students from every region in the country. The 16 regional councils selected the representatives on the basis of their leadership and involvement in environmental matters.

It proved to be an intensive week of activities and learning. Dr Mark Orams, Executive Director of the Sir Peter Blake Trust, who was involved with the students all week was impressed.

Activities included investigations into waste management and a visit to “Trash-Palace”, work in the Karori Sanctuary where delegates helped with weeding work and learned about the “mainland island” concept in protecting native species. A visit to Pauahatanui Inlet saw delegates working on water quality monitoring, counting cockles as an indicator species of ecosystem health and, planting and weeding while other students worked on designing an urban park.

Air quality monitoring and marine mammal fisheries by-catch issues were also investigated. Donna Gardner, the forum coordinator from the Ministry for the Environment stated that,

The Minister for the Environment, the Honorable Marion Hobbs, spent time discussing issues with the students and presented each delegate with certificates during a visit to Parliament House.

The partnership between the Ministry and the Sir Peter Blake Trust was a very successful and future Sir Peter Blake Environment Forums are planned.

Many delegates and their 18 regional chaperones went away from the forum enthusiastic about setting up their own regional youth environment forums and regional youth environment councils.

Caitlyn Cook, a representative at the Youth Environment Forum, writes:

The Sir Peter Blake Youth Environment Forum was an incredible experience. It offered so much with its field visits, challenging talks and discussions, and motivating and encouraging speeches. It provided the chance to pool my thoughts with like-minded and driven peers from around New Zealand to help the common concern: the environment.

Opportunities offered at the forum, such as the mini project ‘dolphins’ and the incredible, diverse people, were unique and extraordinary experiences! They have certainly broadened my thinking and added dimensions to my character.

The Sir Peter Blake Youth Environment Forum was an exceptional and wonderful week that has motivated me, developed my ideas and enthusiasm for the environment and allowed me to come away a broadened, passionate environmentalist.

“We really do have some outstanding young people in this country - full of energy and enthusiasm for our beautiful natural environment and already making important contributions to conservation. It was a privilege to be involved” — Dr Mark Orams

“The forum was designed to be a-learning-by-doing event for these students and the delegates really enjoyed getting into the outdoors and getting their hands dirty.” — Donna Gardner