from YAPRap November 2005
Byron Youth Services with the Youth Activities Centre is introducing innovative environmental practices into their centre through an exciting new project being co-ordinated by the North East Waste Forum (NEWF).
"The project is assisting youth centres and organisations on the North Coast to adopt environmentally friendly practices, such as waste reduction and recycling, green purchasing, water and energy conservation and become eco-learning hubs for young people and the local community." said Linda Tohver, Project Coordinator for the NEWF.
Byron Youth Services, a partner in the project, is the first to commit to implementing an environmental policy and management plan, which will lead to improved environmental practices by staff, young people and others using the centre.
Director of BYS, Paul Spooner said, "This is an exciting and innovative initiative which will improve the ecological footprint at BYS, promote sustainability to young people and model our successes to other youth centres in the region and potentially the whole of NSW.
The project will include: waste, water and energy audits of all the programs running out of the centre; comprehensive staff training in designing, implementing and maintaining a green office; researching attitudes, practices and awareness in relation to environmental issues of young people; engaging with young people through integrating environmental issues into programs, courses and activities already run out of the centre.
Following on from the first year of working closely with Byron Youth Services, a toolkit will be developed which can assist other youth centres and councils in developing a similar program.
The project is funded by the NSW Government through its Environmental Trust. Project partners include: Byron Shire Council, Byron Youth Services, ROUS Water, North Coast Water, Country Energy and the North East Waste Forum.
More information
Linda Tohver, Project Coordinator
North East Waste Forum
02 6685 3651
education@northeastwasteforum.org.au
Paul Spooner, Director
Byron Youth Service
02 6685 7777
info@bys.org.au
