Youth Forum to help shape Ballarat’s Biodiversity Strategy

Are you aged between 15 and 25 and have a passion for improving the health of our natural environment?

On Saturday 21 October, you can get directly involved in the conversation at the City of Ballarat’s Biodiversity Youth Forum, being held at the Warrenheip Hall from 10am to 4pm.  

The Forum is seeking the views of our youngest community members to identify priority areas for the next five years to improve the health and safety of our environment.  

Forum participants will review previous community feedback, identify priority areas and discuss ways that our youth can help the environment.

City of Ballarat Councillor Belinda Coates said this is an important community consultation and our young people are best placed to determine our priorities.

“We need the passion, skills and knowledge of our youngest community members to determine the future of biodiversity in our region,” she said.

“They are the custodians of the environment and represent the next generation of leaders who will shape our future.

“I encourage our youth to get involved and share your views to make sure that we take the right steps to improve the health of our environment.”

Forum participants will explore the feedback gathered so far from a range of community conversations about the natural environment and how we can better manage it.

Biodiversity is the variety of life, including animals, plants, fungi, and even microorganisms like bacteria, that make up our natural world. Each of these species and organisms work together in ecosystems, like an intricate web, to maintain balance and support life.

The Biodiversity Strategy will align with the Council Plan 2021-2025 goal to ‘develop policy guidance on biodiversity and natural resources management’ and supports the Ballarat Strategy 2040.

Forum participants will be financially compensated for their time, with limited spaces available and registration essential. To register interest for the Youth Forum event on 21 October, email sustainableenvironment@ballarat.vic.gov.au.

For more information about the Biodiversity Strategy consultation, visit mysay.ballarat.vic.gov.au/biodiversity-strategy.

Your feedback will help to inform the Draft Biodiversity Strategy, which is expected to go before Council for consideration later this year.