Students with passion for environment sought for national forum

Bay of Plenty Regional Council wants to hear from students with a passion for the environment, to represent the region at a national environmental forum.

Three students will be selected from around the region to represent the Bay of Plenty at the annual Sir Peter Blake Youth EnviroLeaders' Forum in Auckland in April.

Education Team Leader Kerry Gosling said the forum was a great opportunity for local Year 12 students to work with other students and professionals to help shape a sustainable future for New Zealand.

“These forums bring together some amazing future leaders across a range of environmental interests. Participants are passionate about some aspect of the environment and really enjoy being with like-minded people.”

“They also relish the environmental challenges they’re presented with and enjoy the opportunity to work on solutions together.”

Last year’s students looked at water quality and conservation, energy efficiency, and waste minimisation.

This is the eighth annual EnviroLeaders' forum and the first to be held in Auckland. The programme is currently being finalised by the Ministry for the Environment and the Sir Peter Blake Trust. A maximum of 48 students from around the country will be invited to attend the 2011 forum from 17 – 21 April.

Participants will:
· learn more about the environmental issues facing New Zealand and develop strategies to address them
· undertake field and project work
· develop leadership skills
· meet and engage with inspiring and informative speakers, including Sir Peter Blake Trust alumni, local and national politicians, business and community leaders.

The students’ travel, food and accommodation will be fully sponsored by the Ministry for the Environment.

Application forms have been sent to the Social Sciences Head of Departments in all Bay of Plenty secondary schools and are also available online www.sirpeterblaketrust.org/environment/youth_environment_forum or from the Regional Council’s website www.boprc.govt.nz.

Bay of Plenty applications must be with Bay of Plenty Regional Council by Friday, 4 March 2011.