The maker of an inspiring video featuring a stuffed penguin to deliver a clean up the environment message is encouraging entries for the second Enspire Challenge.

Rebekah Richards won the first Enspire competition in 2015, with a video using stuffed bird toys to illustrate the effects of rubbish and pests on wildlife at Mount Maunganui.

A stuff penguin starred in Rebekah's prize winning video.

‘There's a Problem in our Backyard' showed just how devastating – or healing – human actions can be to the environment.

'We have to get out there and make a difference,” says Rebekah.

'I entered because I wanted to get the message across about how our environment can't cope if we ignore what we as a species have done to it over the year. We have to get out there and do what we can to make a difference.”

Rebekah donated the $2000 grant she won to the Mauao Wildlife Trust, and watched her winning video screen at last year's TEDx Tauranga.

The Enspire competition encourages people aged 12-24 to create a short video that inspires people to think more, and do more, about caring for their environment.

The 21-year-old says her inspiration came from what she saw on Moturiki Island.

'I was spending a lot of time on Moturiki (Leisure) Island and was getting tired of seeing all the rubbish people left behind. Knowing what species call the area home I thought it would be good to show people some of the problems they face and I decided my message would be to lend nature a hand.

'It's a great way to challenge yourself and get creative while conveying a message you feel is important for people to know.”

Videos can fall under one of three categories: climate change and sustainability; protecting the Tauranga harbour and waterways; and profiling environmental community groups.

There are $500, $200 and $100 Prezzy cards up for grabs, as well as the chance for the winning video to be screened at TEDx Tauranga in July, 2016.

Rebekah's advice for entrants is to keep the message simple and strong.

'Be careful not to make the video too complicated or crowded with ideas otherwise some of the impact of the message may be lost.

'Planning is really important even if it's just a basic outline of what you want the video to be.”

Enspire is run collectively by Tauranga City Council, Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council.

Rebekah's winning video is here.

Entries are open from now until April 1. For competition details visit www.tauranga.govt.nz/enspire

or www.facebook.com/EnspireBOP