Rolling up their sleeves for the environment

Young environmental leaders of the future will gather at Auburn Primary School on Wednesday, August 20, to discuss issues affecting their region as well as projects they are working on to help their local environment.

As part of the Natural Resources Northern and Yorke Young Environmental Leaders Program, four leaders from each of Auburn, Watervale and Brinkworth primary schools as well as Snowtown Area School will attend the event.

The students will also be involved in water monitoring of the nearby River Wakefield, with Natural Resources Northern and Yorke Water Officer Jennifer Munro leading the students through a water testing session.

Natural Resources Northern and Yorke Community Ranger Julia Alessio says the school forum is a great opportunity for students to come together to discuss environmental issues affecting their own "backyard"

"The environmental forum is part of the Young Environmental Leaders in Schools program for 2014," she says.

"It’s a chance for the students to share ideas and find out what the other schools are doing as well as giving them ownership of the issues affecting their area.

"It’s a great way for the students to get involved and have that experience of being involved in a like-minded group as well as giving them skills that they can use across other areas of learning."

Students at the forum have identified a range of environmental projects they plan to focus on at their schools in 2014, including bush gardens, native plants and ‘nude food’ days encouraging school lunches without plastic wrappers.

Other schools within the Lower and Upper North are also provided with support from the Northern and Yorke NRM Board, including access to education resources, visits from regional staff and help in applying for funding for environmental programs.

Schools involved in the education forums will continue their environmental work throughout 2014, with further activities planned for the remainder of the year.