Forest & Bird Youth (Christchurch Hub) – Working locally helps combat anxiety and global problems
An antidote to anxiety about climate change and environmental degradation is to work collectively and locally, according to Jess Lamb, one of the leaders of Christchurch’s Forest & Bird Youth Hub and voluntary Youth Director of the nationwide conservation organisation.
“‘You can feel quite hopeless when you’re taking individual action but when you take collective action and when you can see what difference you’re making, that gives you hope,” says the Canterbury University student, who is studying environmental science and geography.
There are currently eight Forest & Bird youth hubs throughout the country: six are geographically based and a further two have an online focus. Hubs are run by, and open to, rangatahi between the ages of 14 and 25. They offer young people opportunities to learn about conservation and help protect wildlife and wild places.
It’s Jess’ third year of university study and her second year leading what is considered the most “vibrant” and “active” of the Forest & Bird youth hubs. With more than 30 regular members, the Christchurch hub involves itself in local projects, including helping restore the wetlands at Mugford Reserve in Bexley. About 10 or so students attend each working bee at the reserve on a monthly basis.
Water testing, insect surveys, bird counts and rubbish clean ups are also some of the youth activities of the past year.
Jess believes young people are inspired by her ‘bottom up’ approach: of getting involved in grassroots, local environment projects rather than waiting for systemic change at business or government level.
“I focus on the bottom-up approach because that’s how you can see instant results and it gives you hope compared to the top-down approach, which can take years to make happen,” she says.
She promoted this message to other youth during an online national hui in February organised by Forest & Bird Youth. Annual hui and the work of the hubs are resourced by Forest & Bird and assisted by a staff member based at its head office in Wellington.
As youth director, Jess also regularly helps coordinate and inspire other hub leaders through monthly online catch-ups.
Through motivating her university colleagues and other rangatahi into collective action, Jess is able to feel buoyed about the future.
“When [young people] come to help with our mahi, they become more inspired and they have more hope because they can see changes being done in their local community.” she says.
“If you times that by the amount of hubs we have around the country who are also doing the same thing, then that just creates a much bigger change.”
Jess became involved with Forest & Bird Youth while completing a Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award at high school in her hometown of Rotorua. She volunteered for Forest & Bird and got the opportunity to attend their conference in Wellington, before being asked to start up a hub in her hometown.
“I’ve been involved with Forest & Bird Youth ever since”. She says it was a “no-brainer” to get involved with the Christchurch hub when she moved down for her studies.
(March 2024)
