Youth Environment Council Back at Awatoto

In what’s becoming an annual event the Youth Environment Council beach clean up is on again on Saturday 3 September.

A group of keen secondary school students plan to spend Saturday morning collecting rubbish at Waitangi Estuary, Awatoto beside the mouth of the Ngaruroro River.  Last year, in two hours they collected 580 kgs.  

“The students were so disappointed at the amount of rubbish left at this beautiful spot by the river, the coast and in a regional park -  and sadly they expect that this time round will be no different,” says Sally Chandler, HBRC’s Community Engagement Coordinator. 

The students are getting hands on help from members of Pania Surfcasters, and the Kohupatiki and Whakatu marae communities.

For the first time this year, the student groups will face an on-the-spot, quick creative challenge to upcycle any suitable rubbish.  All recyclables will be dealt with thanks to the presence of the Hastings Environment Centre and their recycling bins.

There will be a fundraiser sausage sizzle at the end of the morning, and money raised will assist students attending a Marine Mammal Medic course run by Project Jonah.  Taradale High School student Aimee Clark has been overwhelmed by the number of students signed up to complete the one day course, which is now over subscribed. 

Any high school students who would like to be part of the beach clean up can register on the HB Youth Environment Council Facebook page. “Last year over 60 students attended - an awesome effort,” adds Sally Chandler.

The beach clean up events are supported by Hastings District Council, Napier City Council and Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and some of their staff will be on hand to provide advice and assistance. 

25 August 2016

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