Hamilton 'Junats' Celebrating 40 Years

Forest and Bird, Issue 299, 1 February 2001, Page 41

Hamilton 'Junats' Celebrating 40 Years

between the ages of 18 and 55 who spent their childhood in or near Hamilton check out if they were ever a ‘Junior Naturalist, and if so are they attending the reunion next Easter? More than 1000 children have belonged to the club which, during the 1980s, inspired similar groups in Auckland, and provided some of the impetus behind the formation of Forest and Bird’s Kiwi Conservation Club. Begun in 1961, Junior Naturalists were developed by the Hamilton science advisers of the Department of Education, as an organisation for those of intermediate and high school age who wanted to : f you know someone

further their knowledge of natural history. They began weekly meetings and regular field trips which are still main events on the programme today. The club built its own Te Kauri Lodge in 1967, on forest land donated on Mount Pirongia. Many past members are now employed in the environmental field, and others carry on their interest as adult members of Forest and Bird. Currently, the club liaises with Waikato Forest and Bird, and the groups promote each other’s activities. A combined track maintenance working bee at Te Kauri Lodge is planned for next month. — Source: Kay Rumney Parry, H.J.N.C, PO Box 7030, Hamilton East.