A new generation of Eurobodalla youth were inspired to care for the environment at a sustainable camp funded by Eurobodalla Council late last year.
Council’s environmental team has spent many rewarding years teaching and working with local schools to teach students about sustainability and to celebrate the environment.
The team views it important and fulfilling work and Council’s Natural Resource Supervisor Courtney Fink-Downes says finding new and novel ways to inspire and further engage youth can sometimes be a challenge.
“After some research and brainstorming the fantastic opportunities we have on our doorstep, it was decided to offer year 8 students from all of Eurobodalla’s secondary schools the chance to attend ‘The Crossing’, an environmental-education camp near Bermagui,” Courtney said.
Twenty-two enthusiastic year 8 students were chosen by their schools for the three-night, four-day permaculture camp that involved an engaging schedule of natural resource management, Landcare planting and sustainable design activities.
The students also learnt about sustainable design, waste management, water conservation and renewable energy. They harvested food from the organic gardens, tended the animal systems and lived a true farm-to-table experience, as well as experiencing the beautiful surrounding National Park through canoeing and bushwalking.
Courtney said it was not just the students who were rewarded - she too was inspired and humbled by the experience.
“It has instilled more confidence that there are young people who genuinely care about our environment and want to be a part of the solution to improve it,” she said.
“The Eurobodalla is all the richer for these youth attending who have been inspired to care for the environment for years to come.
“They have returned with new and exciting ideas of projects they can complete in their own school grounds while educating and encouraging their peers.”
Based on its initial success, Council is planning to run the camp again with a new round of year 8 students later this year.
Above: Twenty-two Eurobodalla year 8 students attended The Crossing environmental-education camp near Bermagui late last year, as part of Eurobodalla Council’s environmental education program. Some of the many activities included tending to the camp’s permaculture farm as well as bushwalking canoeing.
