Landcare Australia
An Adelaide environmental youth group is set to regenerate an unlikely victim of this summer’s bushfires – a marine wetland.
YACCA (Youth and Community in Conservation Action), based at the Willunga Environment Centre, is focusing on restoring the Washpool, a freshwater wetland habitat near coastal suburb, Aldinga for a large volume of endangered migratory seabirds, which was devastated by the unprecedented fires.
Lead by local conservation activist and 2019 local council candidate Saskia Gerhardy, appearing on the discussion panel at the upcoming Landcare Youth Summit at Parliament House, the local teens will plant native species to re-establish the significant habitat for animals including the Cape Barren Goose, Blue-Tongued Lizard and rare Damselfly.
Saskia explained: “This significant habitat is one of the last freshwater wetland habitats along the Adelaide coast and sadly, during the bushfire crisis, it was heavily impacted by fire due to an arson attack which quickly turned into a devastating blaze in the dire drought conditions.
“These dedicated young people are passionate about restoring a vulnerable habitat essential for the survival of hundreds of native and migratory species and regenerating a traumatised landscape after these unprecedented bushfires.”
Saskia will present her experience and expertise – alongside representatives from ANU, UN Youth and Seed Mob – at the Landcare Youth Summit in Parliament House on March 23.
Restoring and protecting the landscape for over 30 years, Landcare has remained one of the largest grassroots community movements where Australians have the chance to make a real impact in their local environment. And designed for a young audience, Landcare Youth Summit will arm the next generation with the knowledge, tools and ideas to help preserve their own pocket of this unique landscape.
Facilitated by Sophie Taylor-Price – climate change and sustainability consultant and granddaughter of Landcare champion Bob Hawke – young people attending the event at Parliament House will have the unique chance to pose the important questions to the policy makers.
Through a series of presentations, panel discussions and workshops with experts in climate change, conservation, sustainable agriculture, Indigenous perspectives and community well-being, attendees will learn inspiring project ideas, career pathways and know-how to create Landcare groups.
Credit: Landcare Youth Summit, Australian Parliament House, Canberra, March 23, 9.30am
/Public Release.
