Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay has appointed Dr Belinda Sleight as Biodiversity Community Facilitator, a new role that will focus on local community projects.

Dr Sleight, who has a PhD in Plant Pathology and was Director for the University of Waikato’s operations in Hawke’s Bay, will identify, support, and actively connect various community biodiversity projects in the region.

Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay general manager Debbie Monahan says the appointment will play a big part in co-ordinating and encouraging biodiversity activity locally.

“Belinda will play an important role in reaching out to those in the community engaging in biodiversity related projects, supporting those efforts and removing barriers for the community to contribute to enhancing biodiversity in the region.”

“We are excited to have someone with Belinda’s experience to drive this new initiative for Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay. Our aim is to ensure that our local biodiversity survives, and flourishes and Belinda will go a long way to helping us achieve that goal.”

Dr Sleight said she was thrilled to take on this new role and to connect with community groups doing important biodiversity work.

“I am passionate about biodiversity in this region and am looking forward to highlighting the important work being done at grassroots level.”

“The more that we showcase the good work being done in the region, the more we can encourage others to nurture and protect our biodiversity.”

Dr Sleight has a background in leading and influencing diverse stakeholders to build new initiatives and collaborations. Her work in the health and education sectors, as well as private research-led businesses, has focused on identifying and establishing ways to work together to achieve wider benefits for the region.

Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay is a not-for-profit organisation supported by local organisations and the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council. For more information about the work we do, please visit https://www.biodiversityhb.org/

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