Gary Mitchell wins April Volunteer of the Month

Congratulations to Gary Mitchell, our Volunteer of the Month for April.

Gary is the founder and manager of the volunteer group Predator Free Grenada Village in Wellington, which controls pests and predators in a large and growing suburb. He organises community backyard trapping in the suburb of Grenada Village for the control of rats and mustelids in the hope that by eliminating these predators more native birds, skinks, lizards and other small natives will thrive in the community.

Gary’s passion for the environment started back in 2001 while he was studying Marine Biology at Napier University in Edinburgh Scotland. His ambition was to set out and clean up one beach every single month. With much determination and the help of family, friends and volunteers Gary achieved his goal and cleaned up 100 beaches across six countries including New Zealand, Scotland, England, Greece, Italy, Sierra Leone and Nigeria.

He went on to become an Honorary Fisheries Officer in Wellington and has given talks and presentations to various organisations, clubs and schools to promote the importance of keeping our oceans healthy.

Gary’s goal is to protect and preserve our humble planet for generations to come. Congratulations Gary and thank you for helping to Keep New Zealand Beautiful.

The winner of the New Zealand Couriers Volunteer of the Month receives $100, a KNZB tshirt, New Zealand Couriers bag, Resene paint voucher, Klean Kanteen drink bottle, a 6-pack of Vista Drinks sparkling water and more – along with being automatically entered into the annual Beautiful Awards!

If you know someone who does great work keeping New Zealand beautiful, you can nominate them here.