2024 Conservation Awards
On July 13th the Piroa Conservation Trust (PCT) held its annual awards night to celebrate the work of volunteers and recognise some special individuals across a variety of categories.
This year the SUPREME AWARD went to the incredible Susan Steadman. A number of years ago it became evident that Tara Iti (Fairy Tern) were on the brink of extinction. Susan refused to accept extinction was inevitable. Her commitment has helped to prove that given adequate protection Tara Iti can survive. Susan also drives PCTs education programme, curriculum development and direction along with leading the in-classroom delivery. This year she has successfully expanded the programme to reach eight schools in the local area. It is hard to find another individual who dedicates as much of her life to conservation volunteer work as Susan. It was unanimous that there was not a better person than Susan to receive the supreme award.
NATIVE HABITAT RESTORATION AWARD - Goddard Family. A whitebait spawning site was identified on the Goddard family farm near Waipu. The Goddards made their property available as a demonstration site where pest management has been introduced and over a thousand trees were planted to enhance survival prospects for the whitebait.
