Brittany Florence-Bennett

“Kia ora e te whānau, ko Brittany ahau. I have been chosen as one of this year’s BLAKE Department of Conservation Ambassadors. I will be lucky enough to join the DOC Rangers in March 2021 at the Burwood Takahē Breeding Centre to learn about the Takahē feed-out programme. While down there, I will also be getting involved with with biosecurity and infrastructure work, such as trap rebaiting and track clearing.

Earlier this year I completed my Master of Science in Ecology and Biodiversity at Victoria University, with a research focus in bird predation on New Zealand’s lizards. I now work as a Field Operator for Predator Free Wellington. I first got involved with conservation volunteering while I was studying, and through this work I found a passion for protecting te taiao (the environment), ngā manu e ngā mokomoko o Aotearoa (the birds and lizards of New Zealand). I thoroughly enjoy my regular monitoring of mokomoko (lizard) species on Mana Island, made possible by Friends of Mana Island. I also love getting out on the south coast of Wellington to monitor kororā (little blue penguins) with Forest & Bird’s Places for Penguins. So, I can’t wait to make the most of this opportunity as well and share what I learn with my peers, and all of you!

I’m really looking forward to getting to know the local whenua and connecting with the conservation whānau in the South Island! Mā te wā!”