Mid North environmental education program flourishing
Natural Resources Northern and Yorke’s Young Environmental Leaders (YEL) program has been growing rapidly, with eleven Mid North Schools participating this year.
Lower and Mid North District Community Team Leader Bonnie Maynard has been working towards increasing involvement in the education program since 2014.
"We live in a dynamic and productive region and young people are the future leaders of our landscapes.
Educating youth to value our natural environment and understand the importance of sustainable practises is fundamental to future NRM activities and has long been a passion of mine" Ms Maynard said.
The YEL program has grown in 2016 to include Gladstone, Booborowie and Saddlewoth Primary Schools, with students from the schools engaging in a range of YEL forums that focus on the environment and involve planning, delivering and presenting on a sustainable project within their school grounds.
Students have the opportunity to learn from experts from a variety of fields; Professor Rod Wells from the SA Museum was a highlight for the students in 2015.
"Red Banks Conservation Park was the perfect location for the Palaeontology YEL forum, with Rod explaining the history of the area and the ecology of the Megafauna animals that once called the park home through a ‘bone box’ activity and a diprotodon walk" Ms Maynard said.
The first forum for 2016 was held in March with students learning the importance of working together and involving the wider school community for the success of their project.
"Students designed a logo for their schools YEL group using species of the Northern and Yorke region, giving leaders ownership and encouraging the group to be active in planning, problem-solving and decision-making throughout the year" Ms Maynard said.
Schools will come together again at the end of May at the Hart Field Site to learn about soils and good land management principals with local soil scientist Andrew Harding from PIRSA.
Funding for the Young Environmental Leaders Program is provided by Natural Resources Northern and Yorke.
If your school is interested in participating in the Soils Forum at the end of May, please contact the Northern and Yorke Natural Resources Centre in Clare, telephone 8841 3444.
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