Pride of NZ: Wingspan's Debbie Stewart nominated

DEDICATED: Wingspan director Debbie Stewart says the Pride of NZ nomination is recognition for the hard work of her team. PHOTO/FILE

Debbie Stewart is well known to the Rotorua community for her tireless efforts for the endangered karearea, or New Zealand falcon.

Ms Stewart is behind exciting projects like the On The Wing exhibition, which sees karearea in residence at the Government Gardens.

For this, among her other conservation projects, she has been nominated for the Pride of New Zealand award in the environment category.

The awards, first held last year, acknowledge extraordinary personal sacrifices to help, save and care for others and the environment.

TSB Bank is again the major sponsor, along with the Rotorua Daily Post, the New Zealand Herald and radio station The Hits.

She said she worked with a supportive team, but there is no denying Ms Stewart is the driving force behind conservation projects.

"I like to think it [the nomination] is recognition for the team and the programmes we are doing, by no means this is a single effort, there's a lot of people in the Wingspan family, our board, our staff. Our focus is for the New Zealand falcon but, in the extension of that, it's about New Zealand birds of prey in general and appreciation for the wonderful biodiversity New Zealand has. It is a conservation effort, we are just a part of that journey.

"It has been a long career within wildlife and the environment in general, and it's been eclipsed by the On The Wing programme, making conservation history, and making conservation everybody's business, especially in our own backyard."

Ms Stewart was chuffed with her nomination. "Knock me over with a feather, I am stunned."

Ms Stewart's nominator said she was passionate and dedicated.

"She established Wingspan Birds of Prey trust in 1992 and has since released hundreds of falcons into the wild through rehabilitation and breeding programmes at her facilities in Rotorua.

Without Government funding she has managed to do this with nothing but public donations and 100 per cent of her time - she never has a day off. She has grown Wingspan into the recognisable and reputable charitable trust it is today - and has built up a considerable following of bird enthusiasts, advocates and incredible staff."

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Nominations for the 2015 awards have now closed.
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For more information on the awards go to the official website.