Sowing the seed of conservation message
Working as the top of the South Island regional manager for Forest and Bird isn’t enough for dedicated conservationist Debs Martin.
As well as her work with Forest and Bird, Martin spends much of her free time with her partner planting native trees, clearing out weeds.
She said it was good to have the recognition for her work through the award, but more important to her was the recognition that people cared about the environment.
‘‘It’s not about me, in a way, it’s showing that people value people who look after our natural places, and that’s what’s cool for me,’’ she said
Martin and her partner spend their time ‘‘getting out there, planting trees and killing weeds,’’ preserving the environment where they can for it’s own sake.
Martin said she couldn’t do any of it without her partner, Michael North, who shares her passion for conservation.
‘‘We do it because we love nature, that’s what keeps me going and why we do what we do,’’ she said.
‘‘If anyone ever wanted to join us they can always just contact me and come along.’’
Martin’s conservation work comes from a place of respect for the Earth and a desire to ‘‘look after the forgotten animals and the forgotten places’’.
‘‘We are so much a part of what’s around us. People are just one species on the planet, and I do it for the sheer love of all the other creatures.’’
As well as her conservation work, Martin is involved in the Nelson organic co-op, Organic Green Grocer.
Her work there comes from the same passion as her conservation work, trying to reduce the sheer amount of man-made chemicals and plastic or other rubbish that make their way into the land or ocean.
Martin’s tireless work is about ‘‘living well with the environment and treading lightly on the planet’’.
She said people should and look after themselves, each other, and the environment.
‘‘I just think that if people take the time to step out, be kind, and look after the place around us, then that’s all we could ever wish for.’’