Student environmental forum makes immediate impact

The third instalment of the South East Natural Resources Management Board’s Young Environmental Leaders Program (YELP) Forum brought 55 students from 14 local schools together to continue their learning at Naracoorte Caves National Park.

Following previous YELP sessions including the Earth Keepers camp at the caves, students built on their knowledge of environmental issues and their impacts on the environment.

Penola High School groundsman and Student Services officer Matt Crewe said the weed identification sessions run by Natural Resources South East Team Leader Pest Management Deb Lang and NRM Officer Paul Wordley were beneficial to students.

“The students were able to learn about environmental weeds and why they’re an issue,” Mr Crewe said.

“Most importantly, they were able to make an immediate difference by pulling out boneseed plants in the National Park.”

A core element of YELP is to provide students with a platform to share their voice and connect with others. The program also allows students to explore nature while learning about environmental issues and how to address them at a local level.

“The chance to make a practical difference in their own region goes a long way towards empowering our future leaders,” Mr Crewe said.

The fourth and final forum for the year will be held at Bool Lagoon and will focus on students sharing their projects and experiences from the year-long program. The full-day forum will include education sessions and provides opportunities for students to interact and celebrate their achievements.

YELP is funded by the NRM levy, delivered by Natural Resources South East. For more information, contact the Natural Resources South East NRM Education team on 87351177.