EVERYDAY ECOTOURISM HEROES EDITION 11: HELEN MASTERS
A group of driven people can make significant change, yet it is important to recognise and appreciate the efforts of the individuals that take strides every day to create lasting positive impacts on the environment and community around them. That is exactly what Helen Masters, Education and Interpretation Ranger at Phillip Island Nature Parks, is about. Described as an enthusiastic and passionate member of the visitor experience team, Helen is zealous about protecting the marine and beach environment and the important species that live in this precious part of the world.
“Helen is driven, both professionally and personally, to protecting our beautiful island home and educating people about what they can do to be part of the solution to the global issue of marine debris,’” explains Kate Adams, a colleague of Helen.
With a background in teaching, Helen is a valued member of the Phillip Island Nature Parks’ education team. She has an excellent understanding of the Victorian curriculum, is a leader in developing education programs and is a great support to her team members, consistently sharing her knowledge to support their development.
As Kate explains, Helen has also played an integral role in the development and implementation of numerous programs on Phillip Island. For example, she was heavily involved in the Turn the Tide Program, a community volunteer program that tackles marine debris on local beaches. This program attracts a team of 30+ regular volunteers who collect rubbish from the beach, sort and analyse it and enter the statistics into the Tangaroa Blue database. Over the twelve months that this program has been running, it’s contributed significantly to removing debris off Phillip Island’s beaches and protecting the Short-Tailed Shearwaters, among other species.
Helen also had the idea of hosting an event in partnership with Parley (a company dedicated to cleaning up islands around the world) and took on the role of project manager for the first ever 'Island Wide, Along the Tide' beach clean event in January this year. The event was a huge success, collecting marine debris from 18 beaches on the island, equating to over 11,149 individual items (including 408m of fishing line, with a total weight of just under 150kg). The event engaged 137 volunteers and featured in print media and TV.
“Helen is highly passionate about making a difference and the level of enthusiasm in her delivery is infectious to say the least,” says Kate. “She has the ability to get groups (of all ages) enthusiastic and engaged about the environment. You can't help but get excited when you're working with her.”
It’s her bubbly and passionate approach to every aspect of her work and her commitment to an environmentally conscious lifestyle that makes Helen and Everyday Ecotourism Hero. Her energy gets the team around her excited and motivated to foster long lasting change in the community, and the brightness and eagerness she brings to her work gets customers and guests excited about learning, fostering positive change on the island through education.
Thank you, Helen, for all that you do, and thank you to Kate for nominating her!
Is there someone in your business who you think is an Everyday Ecotourism Hero? Tell us about them!
Have we piqued your interest in travelling sustainably? Make sure you check out our Green Travel Guide and News page for some eco travel inspiration!
For more information on Phillip Island Nature Parks, visit their website or Facebook page.
For more information on our other Everyday Ecotourism Heroes, check out the other articles in this series:
- Edition 1: Ronda Green, Araucaria Ecotours
- Edition 2: Zane Robnik, Park Trek
- Edition 3: Jess Leask, Kings Ningaloo Reef
- Edition 4: Zak Kelly, Whitsunday Segway Tours
- Edition 5: Tracey Larkin, Mt Barney Lodge
- Edition 6: Alex Crowe, Broger’s End Kangaroo Valley
- Edition 7: Elizabeth Hackett, Magnums Backpackers
- Edition 8: Judith Muir, Polperro Dolphin Swims
- Edition 9: Margaret Heffernan, Back Country Bliss
- Edition 10: Christopher Warren, Crystal Creek Meadows