Is Isla the next Steve Irwin?

Karamu High School student Isla Christensen has been selected for this year's Sir Peter Blake Enviroleaders Forum.

A Hastings student who hopes to host her own Steve Irwin-type television show has snapped a spot on a national environment forum. Isla Christiansen, a Year 12 student at Karamu High School, is one of 52 senior students nationwide selected for the Sir Peter Blake Youth Enviroleaders Forum.

This year's week-long forum is being run in conjunction with the Ministry of the Environment from April 11 to 17 in Rotorua and focuses on fresh water management, planning and eco-tourism.

Isla said it was her passion for nature that motivated her to apply.

She was especially looking forward to the fresh water management aspects of the Enviroleaders Forum.

"I read about [the forum] online and thought the itinerary sounded really interesting," she said. "I'm keen to be a marine biologist so I thought it'd be a good chance to test out doing that sort of thing as a career.

"I'm also really looking forward to meeting new people, learning leadership skills, going on the zipline and learning about what conservation is already happening in Rotorua."

Isla is a member of Karamu High School's Senior A Girls volleyball team and first XI football team, and is first flute in the school's orchestra. She has also hosted her own show on Radio Kidnappers.

"I want to study marine biology and media studies in either Auckland or Wellington when I leave school.

"I went to Australia Zoo when I was younger and loved watching Steve Irwin's shows. His job seemed really cool.

"My ultimate would be hosting a show like his on marine biology."

Sir Peter Blake Trust chief executive Shelley Campbell said students would be exposed to various career paths and shown real world applications of classes they enjoyed at school.

Students will participate in workshops, leadership exercises and field trips to learn about lake water quality management.

The forum also features several speakers, including ministry representatives, local and central government politicians, environmental experts, Sir Peter Blake Trust alumni, and business and community leaders.

"This is a really hands on, exciting week," Ms Campbell said. "Sir Peter was a huge advocate of the importance of inspiring our young people through challenging adventures.

"They come out of [the forum] fired up, capable and ready to create change in their schools and communities."

Isla could even be selected for the next Young Blake Expedition, which involves working for environmental causes overseas.