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Issue 55 – February 2016 – QUEEN MARGARET CALLING
Jessica was one of only 14 young New Zealanders selected for
the 2016 Young Blake Expedition to the Southern Ocean and
Sub Antarctic.
She disembarked on the 1st of February and spent two weeks
onboard the HMNZS Otago to the Auckland Islands with a crew
of subject experts, scientists, educators, communicators and leaders.
“I was ecstatic to be selected!” Jessica comments.
“It’s something I was itching to participate in ever since I took
part in the Sir Peter Blake Trust Youth Enviro Leaders Forum. I felt
very privileged.”
As part of the application process, Jessica was required to write
a 1,000 word essay on what she had learnt and done since attending
the Enviro Leaders Forum and her plans for the future.
Jessica has been involved in a number of environmental
initiatives within the Wellington community. Since April 2015 she
has organised volunteer days at Zealandia, beach clean ups around
the Wellington region and joined Wellington’s Climate Challenge
Council. As part of the expedition, Jessica was tasked with raising
$1000 herself and raising awareness of the expedition in the process.
“The purpose of the trips was to encourage New Zealanders to
get active in the protection of important ecosystems,” she explains.
Jessica became interested in Environmental Science after
studying the subject as part of the International Baccalaureate (IB)
Diploma.
“If it wasn’t for the IB Diploma, I would never have realised my
Adventure was calling for Queen Margaret
College student Jessica Yule.
Once In A Lifetime
Opportunity
love for this subject and have these leadership opportunities,” Jessica
comments.
Visiting an untouched ecosystem and being involved in the
Trust’s conservation work were highlights of the experience.
“The chance to come face to face with mammals and birds in
their natural, isolated habitat will be one I’ll likely never get again.”
“It was also exciting to live on a boat for two weeks. That is not
an adventure you get every day either!”
Once she returned from the expedition mid-February, Jessica
began a conjoint Science and Arts Degree at Auckland University.
Jessica Yule with her crew as they head to the Southern Ocean
and Sub Antarctic.