Local students lead the away for environmental action
Five local students have represented the region as environmental ambassadors on the Youth Environment Council for South Australia.
Throughout the year, Jocelyn Work from Mil Lel Primary School, Abby Tansell from Mulga Street Primary School, Alice Tentye and Amber Thompson from Glencoe Central Primary School, and Connor Perry from Keith Area School have met with the group of 60 student representatives from across the state to talk sustainability and leadership.
Now in its 20th year, the Youth Environment Council (YEC) of South Australia is a joint initiative of the Department for Environment and the Department for Education, and provides young people with a voice in key environmental issues and encourages them to take action.
Keith Area School YEC representative Connor Perry has enjoyed the experience connecting with likeminded people.
“My favourite part of YEC has been making friends I wouldn’t have met if it wasn’t for the program,” Connor said.
“I’m particularly interested in recycling and decomposition of different materials, so at school I’ve been working with younger kids to make newspaper plant pots. I’ve learnt a lot being on YEC and have developed leadership skills from being a mentor.”
The group of local YEC representatives spoke at the South East Natural Resources Management Board’s recent Young Environmental Leaders Program forum at the Naracoorte Caves, giving students an insight into what it’s like to represent youth voice at a state level, and what they had learnt so far.
The entire YEC group of 60 students met for a final time earlier this month for the Annual Sharing Forum at Cleland National Park to showcase the projects they have been working on.
Connor is already keen to pass on his experience to others.
“I will use what I’ve learnt to teach a new generation of kids to make the world a more sustainable place.”
To find out more about opportunities for schools and students to get involved contact NRM Education team on 87351177.
