Latest news with #Corney
NZ Herald
18-05-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
On The Up: Te Kamo Scout Group recognised in national Volunteer of the Month award
Corney said in scouting, there was a set of 'Better World' badges that could be earned with a focus on making the world a better place, which had been the drive behind their efforts. Scouts could earn badges for climate change, community, conservation, equity, oceans, sustainable choices and more. 'Because we spend quite a lot of time outdoors, that's the environment we're operating in, so we teach about looking after it so it's there for the next generation.' Corney said there had been times at certain locations when they'd returned a year later to find it cleaner and greener than before. 'The youth are very proud of what they're doing. They can see it's making a difference.' Picking up rubbish was a regular part of their programmes, such as when they hiked the Tangihuia track in Kaipara during June last year and hauled out over 10kg of rubbish. 'We don't just talk about it, we get out there and do it,' he said. It was partnerships with local groups such as For Our Real Clean Environment [Force] that ensured they could not just collect rubbish but dispose of it too, he said. 'I think sometimes that the fear for some groups is we'd pick up a tyre out of a river, but foot the bill out of disposing of it.' Corney said his Scouts knew they were in the running for the award when they were interviewed for it. After getting a congratulatory phone call, it was up on the Keep New Zealand Beautiful Facebook page the same day. 'I was stoked that the actions had been recognised,' he said. Corney said it was nice to be in a position to help rather than asking for help after their hall burned down in 2011. The group were nominated by the Whangārei District Council's waste minimisation officer, Wendy Bertholet. She said it was how they had taken part in their own and wider clean-ups that demonstrated their keenness to make the world a better place. 'They learn about issues and take action to make things better for both the people and the environment.' 'I recommended the Te Kamo Scout Group for their consistent work in this mahi.'
CBS News
26-02-2025
- CBS News
Cuts at the U.S. Forest Service could lead to unintended consequences, former workers say
Maintaining the country's forests takes an army of Forest Service workers, but recent job cuts have reduced the number of its soldiers, which some say could lead to unintended consequences. Dalyn Grindle, Jack Corney and Tim Leedy all worked at Wyoming's Shoshone National Forest — the United States' first federally protected national forest, and a park that's always buzzing with activity, even in winter, with people snowmobiling, riding bikes, hiking and rock climbing. But they were among 17 employees recently fired from the Shoshone National Forest, according to a senior Forest Service official. Grindle, Corney and Leedy each received a letter that said they were being fired for poor job performance, but they don't buy it. "It's not the real reason," Grindle told CBS News. "You know, I put my heart and soul under that job and that's just not true," Leedy said. Every summer, tens of millions of Americans visit the U.S.'s 154 national forests, which span over 193 million acres, but this summer, the campgrounds and trails might look a little different. "I think there's a lot of unforeseen consequences that the general public doesn't- aren't always aware of," Grindle said. Corney noted part of his job was picking up trash and clearing trails so people could "access the wilderness. And that's just, that's not going to happen this year." The local ranger station in Lander, Wyoming, used to be where visitors could go to get information about the forest, such as good places to camp, trails to hike or safety tips. But thanks to to the recent firings, the station won't be open any time soon. Cutbacks at the Forest Service also come as wildfires nationwide grow fiercer and more frequent. Grindle , Corney and Leedy were all qualified firefighters, no longer available should a blaze erupt in the forest.
