Sessions aimed at saving ecology

Steven Hasnip wants to make a difference to the environment now for the enjoyment of future generations.

He's encouraging Rotorua locals to attend a series of community workshops next week at which they'll learn how they can help look after our waterways.

Steven, a Year 12 Rotorua Lakes High School student, is taking a long-term view of his involvement in the Rotorua Youth Environment Forum, an environmental education programme run by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

"We need to make changes before the damage is irreversible, so that people in the future can enjoy and maintain the environments we are creating now," Steven said.

Over the next week, he'll be involved in activities that form part of the Love Your Water workshops.

Organised by the regional council, the workshops aim to encourage locals to work together to look after Rotorua waterways to create healthy environments for native flora and fauna and contribute towards building stronger, healthier communities.

The first workshop, on Monday, is for secondary school students with community workshops the following two evenings and a combined schools/community clean-up and planting at Ohinemutu on Friday. The Love Your Water series will finish with a community workshop the following day, Saturday, at Linton Park Community Centre.

The presentation and event management training workshops will be facilitated by award-winning New Zealand charity Sustainable Coastlines and attendees will learn simple steps and creative ways to help look after Rotorua's waterways and organise related events.

Steven and other forum members will be heavily involved in the workshops and associated activities.

"It is our responsibility as younger people to contribute to the future," Steven said.

Fellow forum member Matthew Gibbs, a senior student at Western Heights High School, hopes the workshops will be well attended.

"I hope people will come along to learn about how to look after our waterways. I enjoy helping others to learn about the environment and what they can do to help and it's fun being part of the activities," he said.

Love Your Water series

Monday: Secondary students workshop.

Tuesday and Wednesday: Community workshops, Te Roro o te Rangi Marae, 22 Ariariterangi St, Ohinemutu, 6pm to 8pm, supper provided.

Friday: School and community clean-up and planting, Ohinemutu (meet at mouth of Utuhina River) 10am to 2pm. Bring a spade.

Saturday: Community workshop and stream clean-up, Linton Park Community Centre, 2pm to 4.30pm. Bring working gloves. Afternoon tea provided.

To register visit www.sustainablecoastlines.org or contact Ryley Webster, ryley@sustainablecoastlines.org or (021) 040 9014.