The 13 year old was one of five from the Hunter and Central Coast at a recent weekend's Scouts NSW Youth Environment Forum in Sydney.

The meeting was called to get 25 scouts' ideas to make the organisation greener, and Kate scored an invitation.

"I love animals. I really love animals," the Toronto High student said.

"I've always wanted to be a vet, and when I turn 14 I'm going to ask if I can clean out cages or something."

Some beneficiaries of that love were a family of tawny frogmouths in Kate's Rathmines backyard.

Two hatchlings were left helpless last December when their nest fell from a tree, and the smaller chick soon died.

"The first one fell out of the nest on Christmas Day, and the second fell out on Boxing Day," Kate said.

"I was very, very upset."

But the second bird grew strong with Kate's help, and its tree was fitted with an artificial nest to keep them beyond the reach of predators like resident cat CC.

Kate, who is in year eight, stayed aboard the tall ship the James Craig at Pyrmont during the conference.

She also volunteered for the Hunter Wildlife Festival in March.