Young People Helping Protect Tamahere

We’re really pleased to have recently welcomed several local teenagers to Predator Free Tamahere through the Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award programme.

As part of their Bronze Award, participants complete a period of regular voluntary service in their community. For these local high school students, that means learning how to check traps, identify catches, record data on Trap.nz, and understand why predator control matters so much for protecting native wildlife.

With guidance from Rachel Frengley and Robyn Richardson, the students have been learning the practical skills needed to help maintain traplines in the Tamahere Reserve. From setting and checking traps, to navigating gully terrain and working safely outdoors, they’ve quickly discovered that conservation is very much a hands-on activity.

Learning the ropes: local Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award teens help service traps in the Tamahere Reserve.

For Predator Free Tamahere, this is a real win-win. The students gain practical experience, confidence and a way to contribute to their local environment, while our project benefits from enthusiastic new volunteers learning the ropes.

What’s particularly encouraging is that several young people who first joined us through their Bronze Award have continued helping long after their formal service hours were completed. We’re very grateful for their ongoing support, and hope this year’s participants enjoy the experience just as much.

Volunteer projects like ours often seem to be powered by retired people with time on their hands, which makes it especially rewarding to see young people getting involved and helping care for the wildlife and habitats we all value.

Learning the practical realities of trapping