Environment Minister Amy Adams has today announced that the West Coast Blue Penguin Trust is among 35 finalists for the 2012 Green Ribbon Awards, which honour outstanding contributions to protecting New Zealand’s environment.

“The awards reflect the broad range of environmental challenges that New Zealand faces and the actions being taken to address them,” Ms Adams says.

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The West Coast Blue Penguin Trust has been named as a finalist for the second time in the West Coast Leading Light Business Excellence Awards.  Run by Development West Coast and in its second year, the awards have received a larger number of entries than last year.  CEO John Chang said “It is a wonderful achievement to be named a finalist, given the high calibre of entries.”  
The Trust was nominated for the Solid Energy Leading Light Community-Charity Organisation award and the winner will be announced on 18 May.

The Trust recently travelled up to Karamea to offer meetings, talks and workshops for interested local people.  Trust Chair, Kerry-Jayne Wilson, and Trust Ranger, Reuben Lane presented illustrated talks about west coast seabirds and the work of the Trust.  A Supporters’ Meeting was held to discuss the work of the Trust and relevant local issues and then Reuben presented a trapping workshop, sharing his extensive skills in predator control.
While in Karamea, Reuben also made presentations to primary school children, fascinating them with his predator skins and skulls, film of blue penguins and his vast knowledge of the birds and their habits.