The Andrews Labor Government is empowering young Victorians to protect and preserve the state’s natural and cultural landscapes.

Deanna Mifsud is one of eight young people who were successful in their submissions to the Youth Volunteering for Nature Fund, with each recipient receiving $1,500 to kick start their project.

Deanna’s project, Werribee Plains, aims to encourage visitors to take their rubbish with them, and will include a volunteer event to pick up and separate litter for the purpose of responsible disposal and recycling. Deanna also aims to raise awareness about the consequences of littering, and will look to achieve this by creating posters emphasising on the importance of looking after the land and environment.

Successful projects also include the construction of housing for native invertebrate populations, a youth led conservation project to increase native species populations, and a marine pier event to engage young people in environmental volunteering and raise awareness about caring for marine parks and waterways.

The Youth Volunteering for Nature Fund encourages Victorians aged 18-29 to reimagine environmental volunteering on public land and find new ways for more young people to volunteer for nature.

The award package also includes a 6-month mentorship with an expert, skills workshops, networking opportunities and learning about career pathways with Parks Victoria.

The Youth Volunteering for Nature Fund will run throughout 2022, awarding up to $50,000 as part of as part of Labor Government‘s Victoria’s Great Outdoors initiative.

To find out more about these projects, visit parks.vic.gov.au/news/2022/02/28/02/33/young-victorian-volunteers-with-green-solutions-receive-project-funding.

Quotes attributable to Member for Werribee Tim Pallas

“Young Victorians are our future – and we’re making sure they have the support they need to think big and deliver benefits for their local community and our precious environment.”

“Deanna is a true champion for nature, constructing a trailblazing project to conserve our native species for future generations.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, the Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio

“We congratulate those young people who have been successful in the first round and we are excited to continue investing in opportunities that inspire young people to get involved and support conservation through volunteering.”