Newspaper Article 2014 – Conservation stalwart ‘fell in love’ with land

Conservation stalwart ‘fell in love’ with land

By Amy Shanks
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Betty Price went along to her first Forest & Bird Society meeting in 1986, and became totally hooked.

After taking a few outings with the group, she was invited on a three-week trip to Stewart Island, where she discovered the land and “fell in love.’

“It was quite an expedition. I had never done anything like that before so it really opened my eyes – it was a wonderful experience,” she said.

When the position of treasurer came up, she filled it, before becoming secretary.

Many hours were dedicated to conservation – helping to plant trees at Cape Kidnappers sanctuary and clear up rubbish on the foreshore.

“We started at the beach and we planted the area with a tractor and carried all of the plants up the hill at Kidnappers,” she said. “We had a couple of car loads who would tidy Ocean Beach – picking up plastic and rubbish.”

A Civic Honour Award last night also recognised her work as a volunteer with Girl Guides, which she became involved with through her children.

“I was 12 years with the guides in Frimley, supervising – I got my camper’s licence, you’re nothing if you don’t have that,” Ms Price said. “I went on to help for over 20 years.”

“We started at the beach and we planted the area with a tractor. . .” Betty Price, award winner.

Photo caption – CIVIC HONOUR: Betty Price celebrates her community service award with, from left, son John Price, New Plymouth; daughters Jan Simmonds, Napier, and Gay Anderson, Hastings; and sister Claire Zeigler [Ziegler] of Auckland.