Plant Conservation Education Stocktake
It’s big, it’s searching – and if it hasn’t already, it’s coming to a place near you! New Zealand’s first comprehensive stock take of plant conservation education resources and programmes is underway.This extensive review is part of a wider approach aimed at raising awareness of and involvement in plant conservation.
The goals are:
• to identify all existing plant conservation education resources and programmes nationally;
• to disseminate information about existing resources and programmes, promote best practice and identify gaps; and
• to raise awareness about Target 14 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation and encourage New Zealanders to participate in its implementation.
Target 14 states, The importance of plant diversity and the need for its conservation are incorporated into communication, educational and public awareness programmes.
The outcome will be a searchable database of plant conservation resources and programmes, similar to one produced for marine education two years ago. The database and associated information gained will be distributed to everyone who helped with the project and all those involved or potentially involved in plant conservation education in NZ.
Sioux Campbell, an environmental public relations specialist, has been contracted to undertake the project for the NZPCN. Sioux was involved with the marine education stock take and has a long association with environmental education and advocacy. She says even in the early stages of information gathering it’s obvious that a very large number of people and groups has an interest in the field.
“Once I started to seriously investigate who might hold resources or be providing related services the list started to grow rapidly. It will be fascinating to see where the overlaps and any gaps are once we get into some analysis.” An initial questionnaire has been sent to nearly 670 individuals and organisations around the country including central, regional and local government, environment centres, universities, polytechs, schools, museums, botanical gardens and research organisations.
Just in case you haven’t been contacted (and a reminder if you already have!) the questionnaire is included at the end of this newsletter. Please fax, mail or e-mail responses back to Sioux immediately at: Chameleon Public Relations Ltd, Postal Delivery Centre, Ngunguru, RD 3, Whangarei. Email: [Enable JavaScript to view protected content]. Phone and fax 09 4344264. Mobile: 0274 768 414
Posted: 04/04/2006