It’s just one of the projects on the mind of the 14-year-old who is bursting with enthusiasm after visiting Canberra last year, representing Kangaroo Island at the International River Health Conference.

“I love everything to do with the environment,” Kaitlin said last week.

She is involved at school with Dolphin Watch, bream tagging, beachcombing with Reception to Year 3 students and assisting with marine education for junior primary classes.

The aspiring marine biologist says her love of the environment started when she moved to Kangaroo Island in Year 2.

The native tree nursery idea has the support of school principal Ian Kent.

“We did seed planting in the botanic garden in Canberra and I just thought it was heaps cool and why couldn’t we do it at our school,” Kaitlin said.

It was a big year for Kaitlin, who made her first radio appearance when interviewed by the ABC morning team while she was in Canberra.

But there is still room in her life for her major non-environmental love – Kyokushin karate. She hopes to start a school team this year.

Kaitlin was nominated for the awards by Kangaroo Island Natural Resources Management Board presiding member Jeanette Gellard. Finalists will be announced and winners presented in nine categories on March 13.

Shauna Black