Ex-Fiordland student new Kepler Education Coordinator

The Fiordland Conservation Trust recently announced the appointment of Jo Marsh to the position of Education Coordinator for the Kids Restore the Kepler (KRtK) project, following the resignation of Caroline Carter.

Caroline’s work and achievements in the first year showed how essential the coordinator’s role is in fulfilling the criteria established by Kids Restore New Zealand. KRNZ are the main sponsor of the KRtK stage of the Kepler backyard birdsong project, a project described by the Bug Man himself, KRNZ trustee Ruud Kleinpaste, as "the most inspiring project on the planet". The LEARNZ virtual field trip in May which focussed on the KRtK project and involved over 100 schools throughout New Zealand, was Caroline’s final task as coordinator; it was also for Jo a great introduction to the role.

Being an ex-pupil of Fiordland Kindy, Te Anau School and Fiordland College, including a year as Head Girl, Jo (nee Whitehead) knows the local education system. FCT’s manager, Rachel Cockburn, noted that “Jo will be a fantastic role model for our local students”, being a local kid who moved on to gain qualifications and experience, and then returned to help restore Fiordland’s biodiversity.

A degree in Environmental Management, and a Masterate in Science, Conservation and Ecology, with a thesis on the kakapo, were the result of years of hard work at Lincoln University. On returning to Te Anau after the obligatory OE, Jo worked for the Department of Conservation as a ranger in Science, Research and Biodiversity. “Discovering a previously unknown population of the critically endangered short-tailed bat beside the Kepler Great Walk was a real career highlight for me,” reported Jo.

Having now established Restoration SolutioNZ, she is undertaking environmental management contracts for DOC and FCT. The recent translocation of robins to Indian Island in Dusky Sound saw Jo in action, undertaking a task to which she is personally committed and that she loves.

Jo sees taking on the education coordinator’s role as an opportunity to bring her technical biodiversity knowledge and experience to the position at a time when the educational framework for the role is well established.

Donations to the Fiordland Conservation Trust help fund the part-time education coordinator’s position. The Trust is very grateful to KRNZ, Ian and Jenny Willans, and an offshore family with a passion for Fiordland for ensuring the position is funded for a second year.

Jo feels “extremely privileged to be able to work for such a forward thinking trust and to play a key role in helping to make the Kids Restore the Kepler a long-term, self-sustaining community project, one that we are all motivated by and working on together.”

As Jo says, “Kids are the future of our planet - connection with nature is critical for awareness, empathy and action for our environment”.

-Ends

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