Our management of the natural environment is the primary legacy we leave future generations. Muswellbrook Shire Council in NSW has given young people a say in that management through its inaugural Upper Hunter Enviro Youth Forum. Held in June at the Muswellbrook Indoor Sports Complex, the event attracted over 100 local High School students.
Speakers from waste management companies, the Green movement and State Government bodies, discussed the current state of the environment. Workshops enabled participants to discuss the issues raised and various means available of overcoming difficulties.
These included ‘hands on’ education in native seed propagation, herbal products, native plant identification, water quality monitoring and mine rehabilitation. Guest speakers from the Maitland Enviro Youth Council encouraged students to find out how easy it is to help the environment. This can be by changing personal behaviour or participating in activities and organisations which aim to restore and protect damaged natural assets.
A plenary workshop sought to identify principle environmental concerns, identify parties responsible for addressing those concerns and to find means of solving the problem. Interestingly participants noted that firstly the environment is everyone’s responsibility, and secondly, it is the responsibility of Local Government followed by State and Federal Government.
Many of the students returned home with a commitment to changing their own behaviour in relation to the environment and with a commitment to encourage others to follow suit. Environment Officer with Muswellbrook, Rosemarie Rohr, said the Forum was a great success and plans are afoot to stage it annually.
For further information contact Rosemarie Rohr, telephone (02) 6543 2866.
