The first edition of eNews for 2021.: Brook Sanctuary
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TENA KOUTOU KATOA FROM OUR CHAIR
One of the great challenges chairing any community organisation is keeping abreast of the myriad of things that are always ‘on the go’, so I’d like to share a few of them with you.
At our AGM in October 2020 our membership was just 400. The challenge was to see if we could raise this to over 500 by our next AGM. Members did not reckon on the tenacity of our supporters. As at mid-March, barely 4 ½ months later, we stand at 600+ supporters. Well done you. When I see the enthusiasm and dedication of our volunteer supporters and staff, I should have realised the target may have been a little light!
Indeed, it is very encouraging to note that key indicators such as Sanctuary visitor and supporter numbers are up, as is income through our gate. Incidentally, we’ve noticed a pick-up in people deciding to become supporters after visiting the Sanctuary.
A key objective of our management is to be proactive; they’re tasked with creating a series of the Sanctuary events to raise the profile and awareness of the Sanctuary in the wider community. To this end, we had a very successful Open Day in October 2020 with over 700 people through the gate, a corporate fundraising breakfast last month was attended by almost 50 people from our business community, and on April 11th we’re hold our next Open Day. We’re planning an even bigger and better Open Day than the previous one – make sure you get along!
We’re very fortunate to have contracted the services of Rick Field as our Educator, Rick facilitates/works with visiting school groups in the one day a week he can give us. Education visits to the Sanctuary range from small pre-school groups through to large groups of high school students, student teachers, NMIT students and school holiday programmes. Since July last year Rick has spoken to 900+ plus students. Rick does an amazing job of developing and nurturing student’s interest and awareness of the natural environment.
Enjoy reading this latest edition of eNews in the new format, there’s lots to discover within these pages!
And finally, as always, our thanks for your ongoing support for the Brook Waimarama Sanctuary, if you haven’t been up to the Sanctuary for a while, then I would encourage you to pay a visit sometime soon.
Nga mihi
Chris Hawkes, Chair BWST
Find out the full March edition here
NEW BWST STAFF
Late last year the Sanctuary was extremely fortunate to secure Department of Conservation ‘Jobs for Nature’ funding from the Nelson City Council through the Kotahitanga mō te Taiao Alliance, a top of the South Island alliance of iwi, councils and DOC. The additional funding has enabled us to employ new staff, the equivalent of two full-time staff, for a period of two
years.
The Visitor Centre & Volunteer Coordinator role has been filled by Kirsten Rødsgaard-Mathiesen who is doing a great job with the volunteers welcoming visitors to the Sanctuary and helping with coordinating and supporting volunteers.
The Communications and Marketing Coordinator role has been filled by Hal Martin who has refreshed our Instagram and Facebook accounts and is updating the website with more information. Hal is also coordinating the upcoming events including the next Sanctuary Open Day on 11 April, and coordinated the fundraising breakfast held at the Sanctuary 23 February.
The Biosecurity Ranger role has been filled by Steffi Hebberd, who will work closely with Sanctuary staff and volunteer teams involved with biosecurity.
A further role of Educator/Storyteller will shortly be filled.
Download the enews from Brook Santuary
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