Young Environmental Leaders taking action

News article |

Earlier this month, a group of 43 students from across the Southern Yorke Peninsula region attended the second Young Environmental Leaders (YEL) workshop for the year, near the Corny Point lighthouse on the western tip of Yorke Peninsula.

The students, who attend Warooka, Curramulka and Stansbury Primary Schools, St Columba’s Memorial, Minlaton District and Yorketown Area Schools, were joined by volunteers from the Formby Bay Environmental Action Group (FBEAG).

Natural Resources Northern and Yorke Community Ranger Fabienne Dee said that the students made an incredible contribution to their local environment during the session.

"Students learnt to plant tree seedlings correctly which were grown by members of the FBEAG at Corny Point," Ms Dee said.

"The fantastic efforts of students resulted in 480 trees and shrubs being planted in just over an hour."

"The students also enjoyed a fascinating presentation on insects by Kristen Messenger from ‘Bugs and Slugs’, where they learnt about the various types of invertebrates and how they interrelate, along with an opportunity to handle live specimens and test their engineering skills in a trap designing session."

Warooka Primary School parent Kylie Pedler noted the positive impact of students enjoying ‘living lessons’ - being educated on environmental issues while outside exploring a natural environment.

"The Young Environmental Leaders program is a great opportunity for the children to get out into, and learn about, our environment and the importance of looking after it now and for the future," Ms Pedler said.

Ms Dee said that YEL workshops connect Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects to nature through activities that engage a student’s head, heart and hands.

"Linking school students with local environmental groups like the Formby Bay Environmental Action Group gives them an opportunity to value the work being done by volunteers to protect and improve the fragile coastal environment that Yorke Peninsula is famous for, while putting their school based learnings into practice," Ms Dee said.

Funding and support for the Young Environmental Leaders program is provided by the Northern and Yorke Natural Resources Management Board through funding from the National Landcare Programme.

Schools interested in learning more about the Young Environmental Leaders program should contact the Northern and Yorke Natural Resources Centre in Clare on 8841 3444.

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