Sharing and Celebration Forum 2023
Twenty-six keen Youth Environment Council members descended upon the Adelaide Botanic Garden to take part in the last event of the year, showcasing their year-long projects with friends, family and invited guests.
The weather was picture perfect - warm and sunny - and enabled members to get some much-needed time outdoors to connect with nature and each other. Members were given opportunities to take part in activities such as nature art using clay; making seed pods; undertaking a treasure hunt; and assessing habitat for birds, before sharing their projects.
Some of the many amazing projects they’d worked on included: raising awareness about bees; making their own sustainable beeswax wraps and beauty products; creating a documentary about a previous member and their environmental project; educating the community about the Red-tailed Black Cockatoo; revegetating habitats for birds; a litter clean-up of Little Para River; improving waste management at school; researching turtles in the Murray River; developing a school food garden; transforming waste materials into jewellery; and reducing urban heat.
This year students were also able to contribute to the Climate Conversations as part of the consultation on climate change policy being developed by the Department for Environment and Water.
Staff also facilitated a YEC review session for members to share all their insights into what they love (and don’t love so much) about the YEC. Members provided quite touching feedback about what the Council has meant to them, what must be maintained and what could do with a tweak. It has provided staff with a fresh perspective on what the young people perceive as the most important elements and learning experiences.
It was a beautiful lesson into the importance of consulting with the people whose lives will be impacted by the decisions. The feedback provided will be used to refresh and build a stronger, more supportive YEC program going forwards.
The weather was picture perfect - warm and sunny - and enabled members to get some much-needed time outdoors to connect with nature and each other. Members were given opportunities to take part in activities such as nature art using clay; making seed pods; undertaking a treasure hunt; and assessing habitat for birds, before sharing their projects.
Some of the many amazing projects they’d worked on included: raising awareness about bees; making their own sustainable beeswax wraps and beauty products; creating a documentary about a previous member and their environmental project; educating the community about the Red-tailed Black Cockatoo; revegetating habitats for birds; a litter clean-up of Little Para River; improving waste management at school; researching turtles in the Murray River; developing a school food garden; transforming waste materials into jewellery; and reducing urban heat.
This year students were also able to contribute to the Climate Conversations as part of the consultation on climate change policy being developed by the Department for Environment and Water.
Staff also facilitated a YEC review session for members to share all their insights into what they love (and don’t love so much) about the YEC. Members provided quite touching feedback about what the Council has meant to them, what must be maintained and what could do with a tweak. It has provided staff with a fresh perspective on what the young people perceive as the most important elements and learning experiences.
It was a beautiful lesson into the importance of consulting with the people whose lives will be impacted by the decisions. The feedback provided will be used to refresh and build a stronger, more supportive YEC program going forwards.
