Youth work on the environment

An environmental forum with a difference was launched by the region’s youth last week.

Young people from five different high schools along with teachers and representatives from environmental groups met at the inaugural forum in Tauranga.

Environment Bay of Plenty hosted the forum, connecting like-minded students who were interested in taking action for the environment. It was an opportunity for the students to network and be inspired by other young people involved in environmental projects.

The interactive session included Skyping a Nelson based student who attended the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference and local youth to sharing their experiences with local and national environmental projects they are involved in. The students also saw first-hand the work that student Tauranga Boys’ College student Marcus Richards is doing with grey faced petrels on Mauao.

The group discussed topical environmental issues, and decided water, waste and wildlife were the most important local priorities – which they determined were all connected. The students brainstormed practical solutions to these issues and will develop action plans at their next meeting.

Environment Bay of Plenty’s Tauranga Education Officer Stephanie Twaddle said the group intends to meet again in a few weeks, and the students are keen to hear from any youth in the Tauranga/ Western Bay area who would like to become involved in the environmental forum.

Environment Bay of Plenty also supports an environmental youth forum in Rotorua that was established in 2008.

ENDS

© Scoop Media