Media Release

Environmental Award winners announced

For immediate release: 18 March 2009

Environment Bay of Plenty has today recognised some of the outstanding work that people in our region are doing to protect and restore our environment with its annual Environmental Awards.

Environment Bay of Plenty Chairman Councillor John Cronin said the awards recognised individuals and organisations working for a better environment in the Bay of Plenty.

“The work these people do is often voluntary but it goes a long way towards helping us and improving our region’s environment,” Chairman Cronin said.

The joint winners of the individual award, James Pendergrast from Oropi and Dorothy Mutton from Te Puke were recognised for their lifetime of work and contribution in many areas.

Mr Pendergrast is a respected, hard working member of the Otanewainuku Kiwi Trust and has dedicated a lot of time to this project.

Mrs Mutton has been involved with Forest and Bird New Zealand for 58 years and founded the Te Puke branch. She is also involved in other projects including the Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park.

Chairman Cronin said he was encouraged by the strength of entries in the Educational Organisation category.

“It is particularly pleasing to reward and recognise the fantastic work that people are doing to raise the awareness of the importance of looking after our environment for generations to come, and especially the work our young people are doing in their schools,” he said.

The winning school, Bethlehem School in Tauranga, has a number of environmental projects in place, including composting systems, worm farming, growing vegetables and recycling. They also have a butterfly garden, mural mosaics and a group of boys who work alongside the caretaker to look after the school grounds. All of these environmental activities are reflected in the school policy and curriculum planning.

Te Kura o Te Teko, who were highly commended, have been carrying out river bank planting, have planted a vegetable garden and are planning an orchard for the back field.

Principal Tony Holland said the tamariki have been doing some awesome work and are setting a fantastic example both at school and at home. “It’s having a flow on effect throughout our community and in a sense the community has woken up to the need for us to recycle and look after our environment,” Mr Holland said.

The Environment Bay of Plenty Environmental Award winners are:
Individual
Joint winners: James Pendergrast from Oropi $500
Dorothy Mutton from Te Puke $500
Highly commended: Colin Adams, Otamarakau Coast Care Group $300
Commended: Pip Wonacott, Whakatane $150

Educational Organisation
Winner: Bethlehem School $1,000
Highly commended: Te Kura o Te Teko $500
Bethlehem Foundation $500

Community Groups
Winner: Manawahe Kokako Trust $1,000
Highly commended: Tuhoe Putaiao Trust $500
Otanewainuku Kiwi Trust $300
Commended: Clean up Te Puke $200

Media
Winner: Ken Usmar, Coast and Country $500

ENDS

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