BLAKE Inspire 2024 applications are open!

By Flynn Wilson | Posted: Thursday February 15, 2024

BLAKE Inspire is an environmental leadership camp that encourages Year 11-13 students from all over the country to come together and learn about the environmental threats affecting New Zealand.

BLAKE Inspire is a program run by the BLAKE organisation which was established in 2004. It continues Sir Peter Blake's legacy with nature conservation, environmental awareness, and sustainable practices with a focus on the marine environment.

The program is a 5 day long camp based in the North Island, where delegates come together to learn and work towards making New Zealand a better, more sustainable, more environmentally aware nation, particularly in regards to our marine environments.

I personally enjoyed my time during the program. The amazing staff running BLAKE Inspire were ready and willing to share their knowledge and passion, and the students from around the country taking part in the program were curious and enthusiastic to make a change. Not only did this program take me far out of my comfort zone, but it provided me with the knowledge and power to make change here in Dunedin.

My days at BLAKE were really fun and engaging! Each morning, we discussed the day's topics such as biodiversity, corporate sustainability, and marine and freshwater environments. Then we embarked on exciting activities around Auckland, including visits to the Goat Island Marine Discovery Centre, the Tāwharanui Open Sanctuary, the Auckland Airport Tarmac, the Pourewa Community Hub, the Auckland Domain, and Campbells Bay. At each activity we got to have hands-on experiences with businesses and local organisations and look at how they are reducing and reversing the impacts on the environment.

Our evenings were just as enriching. They featured presentations where we discussed what happened throughout the day, policy simulations, VR sessions, and lessons on Mātauranga Māori.

If this sounds like something that would interest you, I would highly recommend applying through the website linked below or if you have any questions flick me an email! [email protected]

https://www.blakenz.org/programmes/blake-inspire/

Applications for the BLAKE Inspire program close on Sunday 3 March 11.59 pm.

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