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Nature strip planting with the Youth Sustainability Leaders

Digging deep for local biodiversity

In 2021 we launched our fantastic Youth Sustainability Leaders program, aimed at empowering young people to advocate for environmental issues they are passionate about and take action in their communities. The program was developed in response to the climate emergency declared by Council and has now successfully blossomed through its first year.

The Bayside Youth Sustainability Leaders (YSL) program offers three modules covering a range of topics including climate change, waste and resource recovery, and sustainable cities. Each module runs over 7-8 weeks, where young people hear from experts in the field and work towards delivering a project in the community.

When the growin’ gets tough, the tough get growin'

In the final module, the participants undertook nature strip planting as a way of contributing to urban greening and local biodiversity. They chose this project because it was important to them to do something practical and visible. They undertook research into local nature strip planting guidelines, appropriate planting methods, site, and species selection, and advocated to their family and friends for permission to use their nature strips. They split into two teams and completed two nature strip plantings with indigenous species purchased at the Bayside Community Nursery.

See the unbeleafable results as our YSL work hard on their nature strips

The participants involved in the Bayside Youth Sustainability Leaders Program are passionate about climate justice and more importantly, about making change. The program provides young people with an opportunity to partner with Bayside City Council, voice their ideas, and get involved in their communities. Many of our young participants who completed the first year of the Youth Sustainability Leaders Program are exploring local volunteering opportunities outside of the program.

We are now taking applications and already rooting for the next cohort of Youth Sustainability Leaders for 2023.

Register your interest for YSL


Our Youth Sustainability Leaders in action

 

Lettuce be thankful

We asked what our 2022 Youth Sustainability Leaders thought about the program:

“I enjoyed learning about things related to sustainability that I haven’t heard before, as well as the group project.”

“I really enjoyed the information sessions every week as they were really engaging and interesting. I also enjoyed how comfortable the team at Bayside made me feel so I had the confidence to contribute.”

“Definitely relevant and engaging. Made me feel like we were actually making a difference in the community and working towards something.”

Become a Youth Sustainability Leader and grow your knowledge and passion for the environment