Green Corps graduations
Nine participants of the Green Corps' Central Coast program graduated at a special ceremony at Killcare Heights on July 25.
The $143,000 project was funded by the Australian Government's Ministry of Employment and gave nine young people the chance to regenerate and restore local native plant species.
"These young graduates are really making a difference in revitalising the environment of their community and gaining valuable skills along the way," Member for Robertson Ms Belinda Neal said.
The project took to areas around the Peninsula, including the Peninsula dunes at Killcare Heights and Empire Bay, the Ettalong Foreshore, and the Bouddi National Park.
Project team leader Mr Jordon Skinner said the graduates of the program contributed "a great deal" to conserving and restoring flora and fauna on the Peninsula and wider Central Coast over the last six months.
"We had some really great kids come through the program and contribute a lot to the conservation and restoration work we were carrying out," Mr Skinner said.
"Some of the graduates have decided to go on to study environmental conservation and others wish to go into similar working fields such as landscape gardening and horticulture."
The nine graduates received a Certificate II in Conservation and Land Management.
The graduation ceremony took place at the Strom Centre, Killcare Heights.
Mr Skinner said Green Corps has just announced two new projects on the Central Coast.
"We are looking for 20 volunteers aged between 17 and 20 years to take part in rehabilitating native vegetation and bushland around the Central Coast," Mr Skinner said.
"Both projects will be working in locations on the Peninsula once again.
"This is a great opportunity for young people to get involved in the environment and help restore and improve it for the future."
For more information please contact the Gosford office of EA Australia on 4323 1233.
Press release, 25 Jul 2008
Belinda Neal, Member for Robertson
Clare Graham, 31 Jul
Interview: Jordan Skinner