The upcoming Women Environment Network BOP event is an opportunity for women who are passionate about the environment, sustainability and conservation to network and provide support for each other, say event's organisers.

"There are similar groups around the world focused on environmental issues that are of particular interest to women and link gender, environment and health issues while providing opportunities for women in the field to network and develop supportive relationships."

This year, a local branch has been established in the Bay of Plenty by Janie Stevenson and Tania Bramley, local residents and passionate environmentalists.

The first WENBOP event was held in Tauranga as part of Envirohub's Sustainable Backyards month and this June, along with the second Western Bay event, is the inaugural Whakatane meeting. WENBOP hope to extend the networking opportunities to Rotorua this year also.

"The Western Bay event will be held at the Daily Café in Te Puke on Friday 8 June at 11am. The Whakatane event is being held on Thursday 7^th June from 5pm at the recently established Lightning Hub, above the post office on the Strand."

WENBOP members, Kazel Cass and Karen Summerhays will report back on the recent Women in Environment, Conservation and Sustainability Leadership and Sustainable Development Goals Summits they attended in Wellington. This will be followed by an opportunity to stay on for informal networking.

Local WENBOP member Lisa Eve, who is a waste management consultant, says that all women who are interested in this field are encouraged to come along – she'd particularly like to see women who might be thinking about studying and developing a career in the field, and are looking for some mentoring or real life stories from the industry.

For more information, visit the facebook page of the Women Environment Network BOP.