Bass Coast students unite for environmental action when students from schools across Bass Coast come together for an environmental conference at the Penguin Parade Visitor Centre on Friday September 2.

Students will spend the day teaching peers, embracing environmental leadership and sharing learnings from mentors as part of the Kids Teaching Kids Bass Coast Conference.

Environmental charity Earthwatch Australia runs the conference to engage schools and the community in the protection of local environmentally and culturally significant spaces.

Students will tackle local Bass Coast issues such as beach pollution, waste management and renewable energy. As part of the peer-teaching journey, students will deliver and participate in hands-on activities, identifying floral and faunal species, repurposing plastic bottles, exploring waste management techniques and participating in a mini ClimateWatch trail as citizen scientists.

Mentors from Bass Coast Shire Council, Westernport Water, Phillip Island Nature Parks, Surf Beach Sunderland Bay Coast Care and more will be supporting these young leaders.

Adele, 11, says: “I’ve lived in Bass Coast my whole life. It’s important to protect it. We have a big community and we all need to pitch in to help protect the wildlife.”

Classmate Archie from Cowes Primary echoes the enthusiasm.

“Even one piece of rubbish can have a big impact on the animals in the ocean around Phillip Island,” said Archie.

“What I am learning inspires me to bring it up with all the kids at school and to make sure that they know not to litter as well.”

Students are empowered to be part of the solution through the conference.

The program has engaged 5196 students, 632 teachers, 278 schools and formed 47 environmental partnerships across the state.

“These conferences raise awareness and drive action on local and global environmental issues, bringing communities together to solve common challenges,” says Michelle Tripp, Head of Education Partnerships at Earthwatch Australia.

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

This conference is held on Bunurong Country. Earthwatch Australia acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands on which this program takes place, and pays respects to ancestors and Elders, past and present, and recognises sovereignty over these lands and waters was never ceded.

Participating schools: Newhaven College, Phillip Island Village School, Cowes, Newhaven, San Remo, Bass Valley, Powlett River, Inverloch, Loch and Wonthaggi Primary schools, Our Lady Star of the Sea, St Joseph’s Wonthaggi and Bass Coast Specialist School.