Taking ideas and forming actions
is no simple task, but for the students involved in the Lower
Murray Junior Youth Environment Group, it seems to have been a
challenge they have relished.
The 12 schools involved in the
Lower Murray Junior Youth Environment Group recently came together
to work through their own action plans to ensure their proposed
events do in fact become a reality.
Identifying a series of targets
at the last youth forum in August, the schools have gone away
and worked through the ideas to formulate a viable action plan.
Student mentor and co-ordinator,
Ms Pippa Kerby from the River Murray Catchment Water Management
Board, said "It's great to see so many schools actually implementing
their action plans.
"The concepts vary from building
nest boxes, to recycling classroom food scraps, running a Carp-a-thon
competition or an interactive farm day for primary school students."
While this may be the last formal
meeting for the school year, the Junior Youth Environment Group
activities are only just beginning as most of these projects will
come to fruition in the 2005 school year.
In addition to the individual
school activities, the students also participated in a range of
group activities during their meeting at Monarto Zoo, including
Waterwatch, environmental art and general team challenges.
Monarto Zoo Education Officer,
Mr. Ian Walton said, "It's wonderful that young people can
come up with simple ideas to aid the environment. Our job as adults
is to provide opportunity and encourage their active participation.
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