Whitestone Geopark Trustees are pleased to announce that they have been able to secure Sasha Morriss as the Waitaki Whitestone Geopark’s new Geologist/Educator.
Sasha and her husband and their four children moved to Waitaki almost five years ago from Dunedin and love the district’s diverse landscapes and the abundance of outdoor and cultural pursuits on offer.
“I see our Geopark as making unique and interesting geological sites around the district, our Māori and European heritage, culture, biodiversity, sustainability, geohazard education, and exciting initiatives (for our food producers, vintners, brewers and restaurateurs) such as geogastronomy, more accessible to the wider community and beyond,” she says.
“I bring to this position a diverse background – I earned a Master of Science degree in Geology from the University of Otago before working at Environment Canterbury in a regulatory role. I then lead a nature programme at a summer camp (USA), and worked in the Planning Department at the Cambridge City Council (UK). These experiences have convinced me of the enormous benefits that engagement and education has in our understanding and appreciation of our environment and our history.
I really want to excite the community and all of New Zealand about the Geopark and what we can discover – right on our doorstep!”
Whitestone Geopark Executive Manager Gerard Quinn said, “Having Sasha on board will make a huge difference to the geopark team’s ability to engage and educate the community. This will make the geopark real to so many more people.”
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