Pest Free Howick’s Ward cadetship programme has been recognised for its work and excellence in conservation.
The cadetship was nominated 2021 Mayoral Conservation Awards finalist in the Schools/Youth category on November 5.
Its aim is to encourage young people to get involved and create pathways within Pest Free Howick Ward (PFHW) for learning, work experience and leadership opportunities, PFHW’s co-ordinator Lorelle Stranaghan says.
Ethan McCormick, PFHW’s conservation assistant, successfully delivered the pilot in 2021 to Somerville Intermediate students, progressed through each of his local Howick Ward schools he attended, learning about conservation from a “natural inquisitiveness supported within those schools”.
He is now sharing this knowledge with the younger generations around the framework of the cadetship programme.
Fellow finalists Aotea/Great Barrier Island schools marine project were declared the winners of the schools/youth category.
“We were very happy to have made it through to the finals,” McCormick says.
Pest Free Howick has recently welcomed two new conservation assistants to its team.
“We hope to be able to offer the cadetship programme to more Howick ward schools in 2022,” Stranaghan says.
