Whakatane High School new Environmental Champions

Whakatane high school are the new Bay of Plenty Enviro Challenge champions for 2012, after narrowly edging out favorites and trophy-holders Western Heights High School from Rotorua.

The Enviro Challenge competition tests high schools' environmental performance, carbon management, and innovation in addressing environmental issues. The event format sees schools competing in environmental presentations, a carbon footprint race, an environmental debate, an environmental quiz and an in-depth environmental review and action plan for their school. The event is a chance for schools to share information with other schools and show-case their innovative solutions and initiatives.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council's Utilities Manager Kelvin Hill presented the trophies and commented on the challenges and benefits of addressing environmental issues such as waste minimisation.

Six environmental ambassadors were selected from the 120 senior students taking part in the event day. The Enviro Challenge programme is working with the Sir Peter Blake Trust to select and train four delegates in preparation for representing New Zealand at the Rio+20 conference on sustainable development to be held in Rio de Janiero in June this year.

The 2012 Environmental Ambassadors are:

Michaela Harrig – John Paul College (Rotorua)
Andre Morrison – Western Heights High School (Rotorua)
Melissa Zhu – Bethlehem College (Tauranga)
Morgan Jack – Kati kati College
Kennedy Wiltshier – Aquinas College (Tauranga)
Sophie Baird – Whakatane High School.

The Enviro Challenge event day was hosted by Papamoa College, New Zealand's newest and highest Green-star rated school. The Enviro Challenge programme in the Bay of Plenty is sponsored by Western Bay of Plenty District Council and Envirostate.

2012 Enviro Challenge Champions: Whakatane High School

2012 Enviro challenge regional winners: Eastern Bay – Whakatane High School Western Bay – Kati kati College Rotorua – Western Heights High School

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