Next-gen leaders take charge of environment forum

SURF COAST primary school students took their turn to be teachers to share their knowledge and experience with their peers.

Schools from the Torquay and Geelong areas gathered this week at Torquay Surf Lifesaving Club at an event organised by environmental charity Earthwatch, which focused on local sustainability issues.

Coastal health, waste management and pollution, and urban sprawl were among the key talking points as children participated in activities including sifting for plastics on the beach, exploring coastal erosion, and identifying weeds and learning eradication techniques.

Students hosted workshops for their peers at other schools about environmental learning and activities from their year, in a program designed to encourage environmental leadership.

Bellbrae Primary School, St Therese Catholic Primary School, Geelong Lutheran College, Torquay College, Torquay College and Lisieux Catholic Primary School were part of Tuesday’s event.

Students in the programs took turns hosting workshops for other schools on the day, while expert presenters for topics such as wetlands ecology and microplastics research, and organisations such as the Boardriders Foundation, Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority and environmental advocates added to discussion points on the day.

Earthwatch Australia said the conference aimed to empower students to be part of solutions to environmental issues.

“These conferences raise awareness and drive action on local and global environmental issues, bringing communities together to solve common challenges,” the charity’s Michelle Tripp said.

“We are helping the next generation of leaders take collective responsibility for our future.”

See the Surf Coast Times YouTube site to see full video coverage of Tuesday’s event.