Exciting new approaches to engaging young people are being backed in a summer campaign, ‘Rise Up, Roots Down’. The campaign has seen WA Landcare Network (WALN) recently partner with Intrepid Landcare to connect and support young people who are passionate about the environment.

By backing three inspirational young West Australians to bring their landcare ideas to reality, ‘Rise Up Roots Down’ hopes to inspire the next generation to get involved in landcare.

“Intrepid Landcare was co-founded to connect young people to Landcare and visa-versa, and the last few years we have seen a new generation of incredible young leaders transform their communities, land and themselves by taking action. Western Australia is yet to see the full throttle of Intrepid Landcare that is transforming the lives of young people across the eastern states. We are excited to be partnering with WA Landcare Network to kick-start another wave of youthful enthusiasm for Landcare on the west coast”, said Naomi Edwards, co-founder of Intrepid Landcare.

Funded by WALN, ‘Rise Up Roots Down’ has provided three young people with $1000 each to cover the cost of a landcare-inspired event during summer 2018. Additional support has also included mentoring about branding, storytelling for change, and co-design of projects to ensure events are successful and really make a difference.

“It is the next generation that we need to inspire to value, respect and care for our environment and ‘Rise Up Roots Down’ is providing a more modern way to connect with young people. WALN is really stoked to have teamed up with Intrepid Landcare to give opportunities for young crew to get involved and active in the way that they want to” said WALN Project Officer Blair Darvill.

First cab off the rank in the ‘Rise Up Root Down’ calendar was Vanessa McGuiness in conjunction with Batavia Coastcare Network. Vanessa’s ‘Love your beach this Valentines Day’ event invited under 35 single locals to join her for a sunset beach clean up on Pages Beach in Geraldton. Marketed as a ‘mingle with like-minded beach lovers’, the event inspired young people to help clean up their local beach while enjoying a walk and talk with people passionate about their coast.

The event was a hit with a group of around 20 volunteers who gathered just as the sun was setting and set off with bags and gloves, ready to tackle any plastic debris and other beach rubbish they could find. After the hard work was out of the way, the group of happy singles headed back to Pollinators, a local shared space to relax with a few drinks and some well-earned pizza. A full rundown of the event can be viewed HERE.

“We would like to thank everyone who came down and helped us clean up beautiful Pages Beach,” said Vanessa. “Youth in Landcare is so important for the future, and it was great to spend the evening with such a friendly and passionate group of people.”

        

Photos courtesy of Batavia Coastcare Network – Vanessa McGuiness, event organiser (above) and the ‘Love your Beach this Valentines Day’ participants.

Planning for further Rise Up Roots Down events are underway.  Mandy Edwards from Busselton High School will be teaming up with Koomal Dreaming to tour Ngilgi Cave and learn all about the importance of the cave to indigenous culture. Jamie Lumsdaine from Margaret River is also planning an event in conjunction with the local high school with details coming soon.

“There is increasing interested in WA and around Australia from young people to act and lead with Landcare. Now we need other Landcare groups to Rise up, Roots down and perhaps follow the Intrepid way to support young people to do stuff that matters” ‘Since the launch of ‘Rise Up, Roots Down’, Intrepid Landcare has received an increase in interest in WA from young people to get involved in Landcare from Balingup, Perth, Geraldton, Margaret River and Busselton – that has been extremely positive’, said Naomi Edwards.

Intrepid Landcare can offer support and ideas to better engage with young people. Check their resource ‘Tips & ideas to support young people to Create Change’ or visit www.intrepidlandcare.org