Waiuku Trap Library
The Waiuku Trap Library are not only removing barriers for locals to get involved with pest control, they are also empowering the the next generation of environmental leaders to step up and are inspiring environmental action through education and Empowerment.
Jaide Bolton (16), who is completing her Duke of Edinburgh Award community service with the trap library, has taken on a growing leadership role in educating and inspiring youngsters. Jaide, who was only 14 when she began volunteering at the library, has helped deliver pest control education at Waiuku Primary School, represented the library at community expos, and was recently accepted into the prestigious BLAKE Inspire programme, as the youngest participant in her intake.
In 2024 the Waiuku Trap Library team led eight classroom sessions at Waiuku Primary, sparking curiosity and action among students in Years 3 to 8. Through hands-on learning, the sessions helped students understand predator-prey relationships and how trapping supports biodiversity, and most importantly, the role they play in getting NZ to Predator Free by 2050.
“It’s inspiring to see how quickly young people grasp the importance of protecting native species. When kids get excited about traps and tracking tunnels, you know there’s hope for the future.”
