Erica George

Erica participated in the BLAKE Inspire for Teachers programme in 2021, where she felt a huge pull towards working more in the environmental education space. She hopes to inspire her 5 and 6 year old students to feel connected to nature and to recognize themselves as kaitiakitanga, guardians of our environment. She believes that children should be given opportunities to explore their natural surroundings and to be curious about the life around them. Erica recognizes that one day, her young students will be making big decisions for the care of our environment.

Spending time in nature is Erica’s happy place, and she acknowledges the huge impact that it has on her hauora, well-being. She is always observing the wildlife around her while she is hiking, surfing or skiing. Erica enjoys bird watching with her friends and was stoked to have spotted Whio and Kakariki while hiking this summer. She is inspired by nature when creating, through painting or taking film photographs www.littleonedesign.co.nz.