Shell Commits More Than $500,000 To Environment

Shell Commits More Than $500,000 To Environmental Education

MEDIACOM-RELEASE-SHELL-NZ

SHELL COMMITS MORE THAN $500,000 TO ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION WITH WWF IN NEW ZEALAND

Shell New Zealand has today announced funding of $225,000 for an environmental teacher in Christchurch, its second in the country.

The three-year commitment with Shell's long-time sponsorship partner, the World Wide Fund for Nature - NZ, means that young people in the South Island will now be able to learn more about the country's precious natural heritage.

The position will be based at the Christchurch College of Education, and assisted by the Department of Conservation, Canterbury Regional Council and the Canterbury Regional Environment Trust which operates the Environmental Education Centre at Craigieburn.

It brings Shell's commitment to environmental education to more than $500,000, adding to the full-time teaching position established at WWF's Wellington headquarters last year.

Shell Oceania's Corporate Communications Manager, Antonius Papaspiropoulos, says the appointment is pivotal to Shell's ongoing sustainable development programme and plays an invaluable role in educating and enlightening New Zealander's of tomorrow.

"As an explorer, and seller of fossil fuels, Shell must take a responsible and forward looking attitude to the environment. We believe one of the best ways we can do that is by teaching young people, tomorrow's leaders, about the world around them."

Jo Breese, the Executive Director of the World Wide Fund for Nature - New Zealand, said Shell's support was spectacular and had allowed WWF to expand its programmes across the country.

"Shell has again demonstrated its awareness and commitment towards environmental issues, and that it is more than prepared to match rhetoric with resources. For that, we not only impressed, but hugely grateful."

As well as providing education for young people, the Christchurch teacher, Toby Johnson, will develop and implement a training programme for teachers.

The sponsorship was launched with a three-day programme called "Coast to the High Country" which explores the social, bio-physical, economic, cultural and political issues associated with sustainable practice in the Canterbury region.

The Shell Classroom in Wellington provides curriculum-based environmental education to more than 8000 school children each year. Children learn about biodiversity and conservation of plants and animals, oceans, endangered species, and fresh-water environments.

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For more information about Shell, visit its website at: www.shell.co.nz and WWF, visit its website on: www.wwf.org.nz

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