#11 Conservation, kea and balancing field work with being a mum - Laura Young

06/03/21 • 54 min

Dr Laura Young is a talented botanist and conservationist based in Blenheim. We talk about her love for ecology and how her career in conservation has evolved, from rediscovering a giant weevil (previously believed to be extinct) to studying wild Spaniards and kea. Laura has a five year old daughter, Cassie, who often comes with her on field trips. She shares some wonderful tips on balancing field work and outdoor time with being a mum.

This episode is sponsored by Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand

Podcast music: Wild and Free by Hope Social Club and other pieces by Evan Phillips

Episode links:

‘An Advocate for Kea’ - Profile on Wilderlife blog (by FMC)
Conservation careers profile on Laura. This Google Doc was produced by the Department of Conservation LEOTC Aoraki education programme team as part of their ‘conservation pathways’ learning resource. This was produced with secondary school students in mind.
Kea Database NZ - a citizen science initiative from the Kea Sightings project. You can share your reports of kea sightings.
Kea Survey Tool. This project aims to measure spatial patterns in kea abundance, and changes in kea abundance over time.
Kea Conservation Trust. Kea Conservation Trust works to preserve and protect these unique birds, both in their natural habitat in the wild and in captivity. Laura works part-time for the KCT as an Community Engagement Coordinator.
KEA Kids News: Kea birds eating roof nails that can kill them. KEA Kids News is designed to get young New Zealanders aged 7 to 11 involved in current affairs.
Arthur’s Pass Kea dying after eating lead nails - a 4 minute excerpt from Morning Report on Radio New Zealand.
Kea makes flying visit to Marlborough. Stuff article written by Dr Laura Young

This episode is sponsored by Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand

Podcast music: Wild and Free by Hope Social Club and other pieces by Evan Phillips

Episode links:

‘An Advocate for Kea’ - Profile on Wilderlife blog (by FMC)
Conservation careers profile on Laura. This Google Doc was produced by the Department of Conservation LEOTC Aoraki education programme team as part of their ‘conservation pathways’ learning resource. This was produced with secondary school students in mind.
Kea Database NZ - a citizen science initiative from the Kea Sightings project. You can share your reports of kea sightings.
Kea Survey Tool. This project aims to measure spatial patterns in kea abundance, and changes in kea abundance over time.
Kea Conservation Trust. Kea Conservation Trust works to preserve and protect these unique birds, both in their natural habitat in the wild and in captivity. Laura works part-time for the KCT as an Community Engagement Coordinator.
KEA Kids News: Kea birds eating roof nails that can kill them. KEA Kids News is designed to get young New Zealanders aged 7 to 11 involved in current affairs.
Arthur’s Pass Kea dying after eating lead nails - a 4 minute excerpt from Morning Report on Radio New Zealand.
Kea makes flying visit to Marlborough. Stuff article written by Dr Laura Young

Previous Episode

#10 Kite Skiing across Antarctica, outdoor storytelling & the NZ mountain film festival - Mark Sedon

Mark’s diverse skill set serendipitously landed him a place on what was dubbed "the most audacious and potentially groundbreaking polar expedition in a generation". He and two teammates used snow-kites to reach the most remote mountain on Earth - The Spectre, in the Gothic Mountains of Antarctica. This expedition is a focus but first we hear about the evolution of Mark’s passion for adventure and gain some wonderful insights into the New Zealand Mountain Film & Book Festival, which he and his wife Jo have been running for 19 years.

This episode is sponsored by Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand

Podcast music: Wild and Free by Hope Social Club and other pieces by Evan Phillips

Next Episode

#12 Solo bush journeys in Te Urewera and Fiordland - Mark Jones

Mark is an outdoor education lecturer at Auckland University of Technology, who has been on some epic journeys over the years. We focus on two of his most memorable solo bush trips in New Zealand. ‘Salt and Pepper Hikoi’ was a 17 day traverse of Te Urewera. His kaupapa was to get all of his calories from the forest, while travelling a long distance through some of the most rugged bush in New Zealand. His most recent adventure was an impressive 40 day traverse of Fiordland.

This episode is sponsored by Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand

Podcast music: Wild and Free by Hope Social Club and other pieces by Evan Phillips

Episode links:

Mark's Facebook page 'One in the Wilderness' (for more stories from Fiordland)
Adventurer Mark Jones to traverse rugged Fiordland National Park (Stuff article)
Adventurer Mark Jones finishes solo trek of Fiordland in 39 days (Stuff article)

Te Uruwera traverse

Salt and Pepper Hikoi film (36 mins)
Talking with the forest (Wilderness Magazine article)

Antarctic sea kayak expeditions

South by Kayak - Mark's Antarctic circle expedition (New Zealand Geographic article)
South Georgia - Mark's second Antarctic sea kayak expedition (New Zealand Geographic article)

FMC Wilderness Areas