Passionate and excited students were welcomed to the Naracoorte Caves National Park recently for the first Young Environmental Leaders Program (YELP) forum for 2022. 

The forum was hosted by the Limestone Coast Landscape Board Education Team, with 78 students from 22 schools across the region signed up to the program, demonstrating the strong following YELP has across the Limestone Coast.  

Limestone Coast Landscape Board Landscape Education Coordinator Damien Bickley said the first forum of the year was always exciting for participants. 

“They get to meet students from other schools with a shared interest in the environment, brainstorm issues that are important to them and discuss ideas for their sustainability projects that will be presented at the Expo at the end of the year,” Mr Bickley said. 

“The forum identified what schools are currently doing in relation to sustainability and sought new initiatives they could implement this year.  

“The afternoon tours showcased the unique cave systems and the animals that live within Naracoorte Caves today and in the past.”

Mr Bickley said the tour of the Victoria Fossil Cave was a highlight for some of the students as they had never been in a cave before.  

“To see the delight and wonder as students walked through the cave learning about the fossils was rewarding,” he said.  

“Another favourite was at the Bat Interpretive Centre in which students can watch the movements of the bats inside the cave and learn about the lifecycle and habits of these fascinating creatures.” 

The second forum will be held mid-year where the students will participate in the Earthkeeper camp and strengthen their connections to the environment.