Rutherford College Indonesia Conservation Expedition 2018

$867 of $50,000 goal

Given by 24 generous donors in around 10 months

Kia ora! Please help our awesome students to get to Buton Island, Indonesia for a trip of a lifetime scientific conservation expedition!

Auckland

We have an amazing opportunity to work in a remote region of Sulawesi, Indonesia for 2 weeks in July 2018. It will cost us about $4500 each and there are 12 of us. This is a huge sum, but with the help of friends, whanau and the wider community we know we can get there (we're going anyway). We will be working with a group of scientists on monitoring and conservation measures to promote and protect a sanctuary in this region so under pressure from Palm Oil deforestation and unsustainable fishing and resource use. Operation Wallacea, the scientific research group puts a lot into helping local people and economy to become sustainable and empowered to protect their patch - the beautiful Coral Triangle. They will train us in jungle skills and data gathering and we'll also to learn to dive to help marine biologists underwater. We're all passionate about the environment and want to help to protect it, both in NZ where we do lots at school and also in Indonesia. Please support us to get there, kia ora!

Robyn Butler Shaw's involvement (page creator)

I'm one of 2 dedicated Biology teachers accompanying the students on this trip. I do not need financial assistance myself, but am absolutely determined that this group of students should not be constrained by the finances of their whanau - I want to take those who are passionate about their planet and place in it, not just those from wealthy families. We are baking, cooking nasi goreng, washing cars, growing plants, making cards and a raft of other things - it's a big $$$ number but we ARE going to do it with your help!

Use of funds

Funds will be used to go towards the costs of the students going on the trip in July - flights to Makassar, vaccinations, accommodation (reaaalllly basic!), food, training costs (diving, tree climbing, jungle skills) and a large contribution towards the efforts of the local Sulawesi people to develop sustainable practices and a better economy - all up, around $4500 each. We are baking, washing cars, growing plants, making cards etc- it's a big $$$ number but we ARE going to do it!