Connor Wallace’s volunteering began five years ago with the Motutapu Restoration Trust, an organisation committed to revitalising both the natural and cultural landscape of the Hauraki Gulf island. He was a junior member of Forest & Bird through primary school and has recently become more active with Forest & Bird as a North Shore Committee member and founding committee member of Forest & Bird Youth. We asked him a few questions about his commitment to the causes he supports.

Q What do you like most about volunteering for Forest & Bird and the Motutapu Restoration Trust?

A “The thing I like most about my involvement with them is the way in which both organisations provide perfect opportunities for me to learn from active conservationists – they tend to be the type of people that will help you if you ask.”

Q What is your proudest moment as a volunteer?

A “The first rat caught by a Goodnature Trap that I had installed with support of the Upper Harbour Local Board was a very proud moment but topping even that was the phone call letting me know that I was to receive Forest & Bird’s Te Kaiārahi Rangatahi o te Taiao Youth Award for 2016.”

Q What are some of the methods you use to encourage people to become “citizen scientists”?

A “To encourage people to step up as citizen scientists. I make use of Facebook and my own website to publicise volunteering opportunities, as I know this an effective way to communicate with fellow teenagers. I also like to think my enthusiasm for conservation work is not only annoying but contagious as well.”
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“I ALSO LIKE TO THINK MY ENTHUSIASM FOR CONSERVATION WORK IS NOT ONLY ANNOYING BUT CONTAGIOUS AS WELL.”