Junior Landcare program with Bupa Foundation and NZ Landcare Trust encourages young people’s focus on the environment

A partnership between the Bupa Foundation and national environmental charity NZ Landcare Trust has led to the formation of a new Junior Landcare programme.

More than 30 exciting legacy projects will form the main pillar of the programme, which was launched last month at Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari.

The three-year program will offer young people the opportunity to actively contribute to environmental solutions through a range of nature restoration projects.

The projects will be implemented by school and youth groups across the country, in partnership with local retirement villages and retirement homes in Bupa, and will include a range of activities such as native tree planting, ecological monitoring projects, wetland restoration and pest control.

Pedro Sanchez, chief executive of Bupa New Zealand, spoke about the shared values ​​of the two organizations at the program launch.

“We are here because we have strong values, and we share those values ​​with NZ Landcare Trust and the people of New Zealand. Healthier, happier lives and making the world a better place – this is what we are focused on at the Bupa Foundation,” he said.

“The Bupa Foundation has invested more than $40 million in the environment internationally and we are committed to continuing this.

“A healthier and happier life is something we can work on for future generations. We don’t own the land, we just hold it for future generations and what Bupa and NZ Landcare Trust are doing is teaching people how to care for it for our next generations.”

NZ Landcare Trust CEO Dr Nick Edgar said the trust has a strong track record of working with children and schools across Aotearoa and this would increase dramatically with this new partnership.

“People need a healthy ecological and social environment for their own health and well-being. Healthy relationships between people and the Earth’s living systems are a crucial foundation for strong public support and action to achieve biodiversity conservation and sustainable development, he said.

“With the expertise of NZ Landcare Trust and the support of the Bupa Foundation, we can make a tangible and measurable impact for our youth among Aotearoa and Bupa residents, creating an intergenerational legacy based on the health and wellbeing of both our residents. land) and waterways, and our people.”

NZ Landcare Trust – Ngā Matapopore Whenua, in partnership with the Bupa Foundation, has expressed its sincere thanks to the staff and volunteers of the Maungatautari Scenic Reserve for organizing the Junior Landcare Launch and recognized the historical and cultural significance of the reserve for mana Whenua, including Ngāti Korokī Kahukura, Ngāti Hauā, Raukawa and Waikato-Tainui.