Know a young environmental enthusiast who should have their ideas heard? Here’s why they must apply for our Youth Environment Council this year.
Our Youth Environment Council (YEC) program is now open for applications from young people, in school years 7 to 11, across South Australia.
It is targeted at teens and pre-teens to boost their environmental knowledge and leadership skills and runs from March until November 2025.
The year-long program offers a fun camp, workshops, online forums and in-person events, plus the creation of a new environmental project such as a creating a mural celebrating ecosystems, setting up a recycling station at school and building a water-efficient edible garden.
There are a wide range of environmental topics covered in the program. Some of these have included:
- creating food and wildlife gardens in schools
- setting up and maintaining recycling stations
- fundraising for environmental and community organisations
- researching and revegetating habitat for local threatened species
- creating their own products our of beeswax wrap.
5 benefits of the program
We had you at fun enviro-camps? Here’s 5 more benefits:
- going on fun and activity-packed events at 3 top nature spots in South Australia – including a 2-night camp
- meeting like-minded people and sharing your passions for the environment and sustainability
- developing your leadership skills – through team building and public speaking – with direct access to expert support
- feeling confident and empowered to take local action for the SA’s environment
- becoming an SA environmental champion – personally or professionally. Many of the program’s past participants have gone on to deliver on-ground environmental projects and have a voice in important discussions, as well as becoming teachers, scientists and youth-workers.
YEC participants, with Green Adelaide presiding member Professor Chris Daniels at the YEC forum in November
How does the program run?
Here’s a loose agenda of the year-long program:
- Welcome Day – March
The first event of the year is the Welcome Day. You’ll enjoy being in nature, hearing about the year ahead and learning from program mentors about projects that create positive environmental change.
- Sustainability Camp – April
The annual sustainability Camp takes place in the Adelaide Hills in April.
You’ll build your leadership skills and environmental knowledge, link your learning to real-world practice, and develop plans for your own environmental project.
- Creating and delivering an environmental project – May until October
For 6 months, you’ll research your ideas for change and turn them into action to deliver your environmental project.
You’ll receive access to regular online support to keep connected and supported with mentors, guest speakers and other members of the program.
- Connect with environmental leadership at events throughout program
In previous years, this has included presenting to the City of Burnside Youth Forum, sharing projects at Green Adelaide events, participating in an Environmental Protection Authority workshop and attending the Power Shift Conference in Brisbane with young people from around Australia.
- Showcase and celebrate your completed environmental projects – November
A day for all members to showcase their projects to their peers, family members, school staff and leaders in the environment sector.
YEC participant Charlotte painting a mural for her project
Applications are open now to South Australian students.
Here’s what you need to apply:
- Be a South Australian school student in years 7 to 11.
- Get permission from a parent/guardian to apply.
- Gather written endorsement from a teacher or principal to represent your school.
- Read and agree to the Youth Environment Council’s expectations of its participants.
Applications close on 27 February 2025 at 5pm (Thursday Week 5).
Want to build leadership skills with a fun environmental project? Don’t wait! Submit your application on the Youth Environment Council website.