BY TASMAN ENVIRONMENT TRUST
Scott Burnett has stepped into the role as chair of Tasman Environmental Trust.
Scott brings with him a rich background of experience and passion for environmental conservation.
Scott’s connection to the natural world was nurtured in the hills of Wellington. His diverse career includes roles as a builder, outdoor instructor, and work with Greenpeace, where he met his wife, Rachel. Together, they founded Pacific Discovery and over 18 years delivered cultural and adventure experiences to 2,500 students across sixteen countries.
Scott has a master’s degree exploring how community conservation contributes to Aotearoa’s National Biodiversity Strategy, Te Mana o Te Taiao. He has taught in Massey University’s Development Studies Programme and is now Top of the South Conservation Manager for Forest & Bird.
He has been a member of the TET board for the past two years. Stepping into the role of chair, Scott’s particularly interested in building strong relationships with iwi and coordinating conservation efforts to make sure conservation dollars have the most impact.
Scott and Rachel co-own an ecological restoration property in the Marlborough Sounds, a former sheep farm now naturally regenerating. Enrolled in the ETS as a native forest carbon farm, they use the proceeds to control predators and browsing pests, having successfully culled 894 goats, 15 pigs, and 19 deer from the 640-hectare property to date.
As we welcome Scott, we’re also saying a huge thank you to Gillian Bishop, who steps down as chair but remains on the TET board. Gillian’s been a driving force at TET since 2016 and a conservation pioneer at the Waimea Inlet over the last 20 years. Her remarkable contributions were recognised in 2020 with the Queen’s Service Medal.
Gillian’s journey with TET began when she was leading the Waimea Inlet Forum and they started ‘Battle for the Banded Rail, a community-led project to protect and restore the Inlet’s habitat. She joined TET as a trustee, and then chair. Under her leadership TET has expanded its support systems to other conservation groups – by taking care of the admin workload, allowing groups to focus their resources on the grassroots conservation mahi.
Reflecting on her years with TET, Gillian highlights the importance of community engagement and volunteer involvement in the projects TET supports. She’s proud of the growth and collaborative spirit that has been fostered.
Gillian believes in the power of community-led conservation, and strongly believes everyone has a role to play. Battle for the Banded Rail is a wonderful example of this with over 70 volunteers helping at some of the recent planting days. Her passion for protecting wild places and fostering community-driven conservation efforts has left an indelible mark on TET and the broader environmental community.
