Youth action hub set up in Taranaki
Two students keen to inspire youth environmental action have teamed up to launch a group in Taranaki.
Amber Cayley and Samuel Salisbury are leading the charge as co-leaders of the Taranaki Forest & Bird Youth Hub.
Both are dedicated advocates for nature and sustainability, and they’re keen to round up others to join them.
The pair had met previously through their involvement in the youth ambassador programme at Rotokare Scenic Reserve, Amber said.
Each had noticed Taranaki had no Forest & Bird youth hub, and separately decided to take action. “We both emailed Forest & Bird Youth about setting up a hub here, practically at the same time.”
Forest & Bird Youth is a national network created and run by young people, for young people committed to preserving and revitalising Aotearoa New Zealand's natural habitats and species.
Members of the region’s Forest & Bird branches in North and South Taranaki had welcomed having a youth hub, she said.
They hope it will become a vibrant community where young people can connect, collaborate, and take practical action.
They are already planning to have a stand at a coming Sunday market day and to take part in a planned climate strike at Puke Ariki on April 5.
The new hub is for youth aged from 14 to 25, anywhere in Taranaki, and they’ll be tackling projects around the region, she said.
“We have project ideas such as river restoration, especially the Waiwakaiho River, doing riparian planting, water testing and rubbish clean-ups.”
Amber, a Year 12 student at Sacred Heart Girls’ College, received the 2023 Taranaki Youth Environmental Leader Award for her community service, leadership and commitment to environmental advocacy.
Samuel, a Year 13 student at New Plymouth Boys’ High School, has been involved with environmental stewardship from a young age, including the Lake Rotokare Youth Ambassador and the Blake Inspire programmes. “My family ran a trapline in the Kaitakes for four or five years,” he said.
“Growing up on the mountain and in the bush, then doing the ambassador programme, that sparked a passion in me for the environment.”
For more information about the hub, visit forestandbird.org.nz/our-community/forest-bird-youth or connect with them on Facebook: facebook.com/forestandbirdyouth or Instagram: instagram.com/forestandbirdyouth/