News

By Murray River Youth Council

In 2015, members of the River Murray Youth Council (RMYC), a youth environmental leadership group, visited Maize Island Lagoon Conservation Park to learn about pest control and park management. The value of this local park really resonated with the group, so members helped to develop a strategic plan to raise the profile of the park.

Some old off-road driving tracks have been given a new purpose, becoming a walking trail dedicated to a passionate member of the Waikerie community and advocate for the park, Peter Jacobs. Peter was a local community member who was also a passionate protector of the environment and dedicated much of his time to conserving this special place.

The project has been managed by the students including mapping the trail, installing bollards and designing the interpretive signs on a topic chosen by them. Together with their collaborative partners, Riverland West Landcare and Rotary Club of Waikerie, the RMYC members will have on-going input into the future management of Maize Island.

The Youth Voice for Maize Island project is supported by the Department for Environment and Water through funding from the joint Australian and South Australian governments’ Riverine Recovery Project.

Do you have a landcare story like the Youth Voice for Maize Island project that you’d like to share?

This year, Landcare and Landcare Australia are celebrating 30 years of working together to care for our country by sharing stories of landcare achievements both past and present. Share your story here.