Approximately 70 young environmental leaders from across the Limestone Coast made an impact on weed control recently.

Students from the Young Environmental Leaders Program (YELP) met for the third time this year and experienced working under the guidance of local Landscape Officers to learn about the importance of clearing pest weeds from our landscape to reduce the impact they can have on our environment.

Limestone Coast Education Coordinator Vanessa Freebairn said students enjoyed the program.

“It is amazing to watch the landscape transform as students embarked on weed removal in small groups – the students all love being involved,” she said.

“When they see how many weeds they have removed in a short amount of time it is very rewarding and they are always eager to do more.

“Many hands make light work which supports the Landscape Officers when combating weeds in these larger areas such as the Valley Lakes/Ketla Malpi.”

Ms Freebairn said the students managed to fill a chipper truck numerous times and watched as the weeds became wood chips to be recycled on the side of the slope supporting the native plants that are located in the area.

The young environmentalists attended a session in the morning where they learnt more about waste and recycling and were able to discuss their schools’ sustainability projects with their peers as they embark on the final term of the Young Environmental Leaders Program for 2023.