Trust offers Kiwis the chance to spend summer in Antarctica

Trust offers Kiwis the chance to spend summer in Antarctica

This summer, six intrepid young Kiwis will get the opportunity to take part in a range of life-changing environmental adventures, as part of the Sir Peter Blake Trust Blake Ambassador programme.

As 2014 Blake Ambassadors, this could include spending their Christmas holidays on the icy plains of Antarctica, studying deep sea marine life in the Southern Ocean or working with scientists to help protect New Zealand’s most threatened species.

Applications are now open to take part in the programme, where those selected will be able to contribute to significant science and environmental projects, while based in some of the world’s most spectacular locations. Ambassador roles are open to New Zealanders, aged between 18-25, but applicants need to be quick as entries close on Thursday 24 July at 5pm.

The Sir Peter Blake Trust, in partnership with Antarctica New Zealand and the Antarctic Heritage Trust, will be awarding two Antarctic Youth Ambassadorships in Management and Engineering, two Science Ambassador awards in conjunction with NIWA, and, for the first time, two Conservation Ambassadorships with the Department of Conservation.

Sir Peter Blake Trust CEO, Shelley Campbell, says that the aim of the Blake Ambassador programme is to continue the leadership legacy of Sir Peter Blake, one of New Zealand’s greatest leaders and environmentalists. Sir Peter Blake launched Blake Expeditions, after retiring from professional sailing, to drive awareness and action on the critical marine environmental issues that he had noticed over the course of his sailing career.

Ms Campbell says, “Through providing these young future leaders with such incredible experiences, we hope it will encourage them take a lead role in caring for their environment and, by sharing their experience with others, when they return home, they will be able to educate and inspire those around them to want to make a difference too."

Since 2008, the Sir Peter Blake Trust - in partnership with Antarctica New Zealand and the Antarctic Heritage Trust - has provided opportunities for nine young New Zealanders to visit Antarctica through the Antarctic Youth Ambassador programme. These Ambassadors have worked alongside teams of scientists, engineers and conservators on key environmental and heritage restoration projects in Antarctica.

In 2013, the Blake Ambassador programme was extended to include Science Ambassadorships with NIWA and, earlier this year, two young scientists joined NIWA's research vessel, R/V Tangaroa, on a four-week deep-sea expedition off the West Coast of New Zealand.

This year, the Sir Peter Blake Trust is thrilled to be able to further extend the Blake Ambassador programme, to include two Conservation Ambassadorships with the Department of Conservation, which will be an amazing opportunity for two young New Zealanders with a passion for the environment and conservation, and a particular interest in working with native species.

For further details, or to apply for one of the six 2014 Blake Ambassador roles, visit http://www.sirpeterblaketrust.org/get-involved/blake-ambassador

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