8 YR OLD WINS YOUNG CONSERVATIONIST AWARD
Wellington, 19 October 2005

Columba College, Year 4 student, Hamish Darling has been awarded the junior 2005 YHA Young Conservationist Award today for creating three card games to encourage children of his own age and younger to learn about the conservation issues affecting New Zealand's native birds.

Minister of Conservation, Hon Chris Carter presented the Tui award to Hamish today at a ceremony at NatureSpace, Te Papa.

"It's fantastic to see someone so young taking the initiative to create such an imaginative tool to get a conservation message out to children" the Minister said.

Hamish received the award for his three bird card games - 'Snap that Bird', 'Where is my Home?' and 'Help me Home'. Straylight Studio in Dunedin helped him design the cards and pull images from the internet. He would like his games to be introduced into Dunedin schools and has created survey forms seeking reactions to his project from his peers.

His prize includes an Eco-trip for two sponsored by YHA New Zealand and the Department of Conservation.
The Wheke award was presented to Hukanui Primary School, Hamilton for their work in restoring native bush in their school grounds. The Blue Mountain College Young Farmers Club, Tapanui won the Tuatara (senior) award for creating a sustainable environment on school farm.

The awards are presented annually in partnership with YHA New Zealand and the Department of Conservation. They are open to any school, youth or marae-based group under the age of 18 and offer a great opportunity for young people to showcase conservation projects or research.

ENDS

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