The Centre for Climate and Security (CCS), with support from the US Mission to New Zealand, launched the Youth-Led Visions of a Climate-Secure Pacific program, sending a cohort of young leaders to Aotearoa New Zealand to build toward a better future.
During their trip, the young leaders volunteered at Tawatawa Reserve alongside members of the Southern Environmental Association, planting native species to help preserve the region’s biodiversity. Equipped with shovels and gloves, they carefully placed young trees and shrubs in the soil along the ridgeline and cleared paths of weeds. As they worked, they learned about the ecological importance of these plants as well as the history of conservation and land management on the reserve.
The young leaders left the experience with a shared sense of accomplishment and camaraderie and were grateful to have the opportunity to contribute toward healing the land and combating the effects of climate change through direct action at the local level.
It was an honour to host the next generation of climate security leaders in the Pacific, and we wish them all the very best in their future climate security endeavours!
Tawatawa Reserve 