Bethany Copesy, Nikki Kaye, Rebecca Ashcroft

Press Release

MP congratulates budding environmental journalists

National MP Nikki Kaye has congratulated budding journalists Bethany Copesy and Rebecca Ashcroft for taking out both the Super Award and the Biodiversity Award in the international Young Reporters for the Environment Awards for 2009.

Their effort beat 12,000 entries from 22 countries to take out the top prize, despite being the first time New Zealand has entered the awards. This is the first time that anyone in the Southern Hemisphere has won the top award.
Both Year 11 students at St Mary’s College in Wellington, Copesy and Ashcroft are aspiring journalists with a strong interest in the environment.
“I think the girls have done an amazing job,” Ms Kaye says.
“To take out the top prize against competitors from all around the world is an amazing achievement. It is a testament to their excellent writing skills, and their passion for their local environment.”
The girls’ piece, entitled “Urban Development’s Pressure on Endangered Species”, looked at Wellington’s Karori Wildlife Sanctuary. It centred on the challenges faced by an environmental project based in the capital city.
“I look forward to being involved with the award in the future, especially judging the 2010 awards. It’s a great opportunity and I hope that next year we’ll also see some entries from the many talented students in Auckland,” Ms Kaye says.
The awards are run annually through the Foundation for Environmental Education, and focus on young people communicating local projects to their communities.

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