Young student an early riser in environmental leadership
Sunday, 18 April 2021
Sophie Frost, a Year 12 student from Queen Charlotte College, has been selected from hundreds to represent Marlborough at an environmental leadership programme for young New Zealanders.
Frost will travel to Waikato next week, where she will join other like-minded young leaders for a week of experiential learning.
The Inspire programme is presented by BLAKE, in partnership with the Ministry for the Environment, and is one of two being held this year.
For Frost, rising early to feed the cows on her family's dairy farm before school in the mornings is part of her daily routine.
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“We raise over 100 cows,” she said, and added that she “usually has a pet calf each year.”
Growing up on the farm, which is part of the Te Hoiere Catchment Project, sparked an interest in agriculture from a young age.
As the family farm is also an entrant in this year's Cawthron Marlborough Environment Awards, she is motivated to discover how to create sustainability in the farming industry.
“I want to bring back to the farming industry and my community and school better ways to do the things we're already doing, and new ways that we haven't even begun to think about,” said Frost.
On completion of her schooling, Frost plans to study veterinary science at Massey University. “I love animals, and it hurts me to see them in pain. I want to be able to help them,” she said.
Whilst she would like to work with larger domestic animals such as cows and donkeys initially, she would also like to travel abroad to further a career in her chosen field.
“I would like to work in a reserve in South Africa, but not straight away. I've been to the Pacific Islands too, which would be another cool place to work,” she said.
She is also keen on ecotourism, and is looking forward to the visit to Waitomo Caves that will form part of the week's activities.
BLAKE CEO, James Gibson, said BLAKE Inspire helps to unlock the students’ potential and kick-start their journey to tackle environmental issues, helping to create a more sustainable future.
“Environmental issues are a priority for our rangatahi. They’re very aware that their future will be negatively impacted if people don’t start responding to challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and the decline of our marine health now,” he said.
“Whatever their culture, school or background, the programme brings together these young, like-minded leaders to create new connections and find answers to pressing environmental challenges.
“Throughout the week, they will interact with scientists, conservation experts and business leaders who are leading the way with sustainability initiatives, so they can ask all the questions they like and soak up every opportunity presented to them,” Gibson said.
Ministry for the Environment Deputy Secretary, Joint Evidence, Data and Insights Group, Natasha Lewis said young people are often called the ‘decision makers of tomorrow’, but must be included in the decision-making of today, because those decisions will impact the Aotearoa they will inherit.
“Our rangatahi are growing up in a changing world where environmental challenges and opportunities are at the forefront of all key choices. Leaders today need to be resilient, innovative and able to respond to a changing world,” she said.
“Ministry for the Environment is proud to be able to be a part of this programme and excited to see what will come from those involved.”
The students will spend the week developing their leadership skills as well as learning about key environmental issues, Mātauranga Māori and sustainability innovation in the Waikato region.
They’ll be exposed to career paths in their field of interest and will be shown real world applications of subjects they learn in the classroom.