"The more you know about a species, the more you understand about how better to help protect them."
- Alan Clark
The Story of my life...
As a child growing up on a farm on the slopes of Mount Pirongia I enjoyed exploring the native bush that surrounded our home. My parents instilled in me a love of nature and the outdoors, taking our family on tramping trips around the North Island each year.
I have fond memories of trekking around Mount Ruapehu, Mount Taranaki, and many other beautiful locations. After finishing school I spent a year in the United States and being away from home made me appreciate the beauty of New Zealand even more.
On arriving home I got a Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) and was a teacher for ten years. During this time I was especially interested in outdoor play, nature play, and forest schools.
I'm now a mother of three and home-school my children. We spend a lot of time reading and exploring the outdoors. I am a volunteer librarian in my local church and also enjoy proof-reading for Living Book Press, a publisher that reprints classic hard-to-find books.
My Background in Education
I've always loved teaching children and enjoyed my time as a qualified teacher. I visited forest schools in Sweden and helped start a fortnightly forest school trip at my childcare centre. Now I help organize bush days with family and friends.
I love my children having opportunities for lots of outdoor play, family hikes, and nature studies. Writing a book on birds continues my passion for education and the natural world.
My Background in Conservation
I grew up with a strong belief in the importance of caring for our environment.
My father is heavily involved with the Pirongia Te Aroaro o Kahu Restoration Society, and my husband's family are also wonderful conservationists, with his grandfather Arthur Cowan doing award winning conservation work in his time. I feel it is very important to carry on this special family legacy, and hope through my book and other nature experiences to instill this love in the next generation.
I also volunteer with the Pirongia restoration society, who work to keep our local mountain/ maunga a safe place for our native birds to live. I am mindful of our family's every day choices and how they impact the environment.
Finding beauty in the everyday.
How to Connect
email: sarita.betschart@gmail.com