Mazda drives conservation at zoo
The Mazda Foundation is providing financial support and a Mazda BT-50 vehicle to help Auckland Zoo deliver and expand its Outreach Conservation Education programmes for students.
"Mazda has long supported the Zoo, supplying us with vehicles to help drive our staff and the wild work we do for threatened species all around Aotearoa. We’re delighted that Mazda Foundation is now joining us to help nurture and grow our future conservationists," says Auckland Zoo director, Kevin Buley.
The popularity and success of the programmes the Zoo currently runs at Te Atatu (with Community Waitakere) and at Auckland Regional Park’s Tawharanui open sanctuary, illustrates just how curious and passionate young Kiwis are about the natural world.
"As a community conservation organisation, we see our outreach conservation education, through which we hope to foster in children a greater empathy for wildlife, the world around them and indeed for each other, as one of the most exciting and important things we can do," says Buley.
Mazda New Zealand managing director, David Hodge, says they are delighted to be extending their level of involvement with the Auckland Zoo and the programme fits perfectly with one of the Mazda Foundation’s objectives which is to support environmental initiatives.
"The Outreach programme is fantastic as it allows students to get some very practical experience and knowledge that will provide them with a greater understanding and appreciation of the environment and its inhabitants."
Outreach programmes integrate Tauranga Maori principles (the Maori understanding and knowledge of the world) and focus on practically equipping and empowering young New Zealanders to positively contribute to conserving Aotearoa’s unique biodiversity.
With Mazda Foundation’s support, Auckland Zoo is looking to expand its outreach conservation education offerings to other sites in and around the Auckland region and for all ages.
For full details about Auckland Zoo Outreach Conservation Science Education programmes, click here.
