Youth group brings a new enthusiasm to Landcare

The Peninsula’s newest Landcare group is for young people aged 18-35. It was formed by Amy Henson, who works in environmental land management, with the support of Mornington Peninsula’s Landcare facilitator Chantal Morton and Melbourne Water.

Known as Mornington Peninsula Intrepid Landcare, members have formed a roving squad to assist the region’s 12 Landcare groups. Intrepid Landcare groups have been forming around Australia since 2015. They are tailored to suit young people and provide leadership training and help them become involved in Landcare as well as natural resource management, sustainability and climate action.

Amy said the Peninsula had a good network of Landcare and friends groups, but there was a “lack of young people volunteering for the environment”. Since Intrepid started in 2021, it’s hosted educational, weeding and “capacity building events across the Peninsula aimed at engaging and inspiring young people”.

Intrepid members listen to Mark Fancett of Sheepwash Creek Landcare at Arthurs Seat State Park during a guided walk and weed event. Photo: Michelle de la Coeur

“One successful event was a walk and talk at Arthurs Seat (Aboriginal name: Wonga) with members of Sheepwash Creek Landcare, learning about geology and flora of the area, and identifying sallow wattle and other pest plants,” she said. “Lunch at a nearby cafe in Dromana was a highlight. The social side of Intrepid is important.”

Mark Fancett, of the Sheepwash Creek group, said the Intrepid crew “enjoyed ‘walking and weeding’ through Arthurs Seat State Park. It was inspiring to see their enthusiasm to improve our local environment. As many of our Landcare groups consist of older residents, it is important to involve younger members of the community to ensure the ongoing success of Landcare”.

In summer there was a walk and talk at Point Nepean National Park (Mon Mon) with plant specialist Gidja Walker.

“This year we secured Melbourne Water funding to host a Nature Connection Camp in early April to showcase the Peninsula’s biodiversity, highlight positive environmental work being done and continue to grow Intrepid,” Amy said. “We had a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony on Western Port’s Jacks Beach, talks by Dolphin Research Institute and Western Port Biosphere members, a boat trip, a cultural bush tucker walk with Lionel Lauch, and visited Uncommon Folk regenerative farm. There was tree planting, campfire chats, and spotlighting for native animals.”

A grant will fund a Next Generation course to teach 10 people plant identification, bushland regeneration and fauna monitoring. “The sessions will be held on biolink properties and be very valuable due to the lack of conservation management courses at TAFEs.

“Another event we’ve run in the past two years with Casey Lee of Parks Victoria and Friends of Coolart is Coolart Conversations, where environmental specialists present research at Coolart Wetlands and Homestead.”

Amy lived in Europe with her family before moving to Australia at 11. Her love of nature was inspired by hiking holidays in Europe and travelling overseas in her 20s. “Seeing significant environmental degradation and threats from climate change led to forming the Intrepid group.”

Amy attended Frankston High and studied environmental science at Deakin. Her first job was as a firefighter with Parks Victoria during the Black Summer fires of 2019-20. She’s worked as a ranger at Coolart and in the Northern Territory, and with Frankston Council.

“Lack of affordable housing, the insecurity of renting and trying to meet the cost of living makes it harder for young people to foster a strong connection to and ownership of reserves and parks. We encourage the next generation of environmental champions by offering a range of events and activities that don’t require a huge commitment and are focused on learning and connection to improve biodiversity.”

MP Intrepid Landcare is on Instagram @MPILandcare and Facebook @MPILandcare, or email mpilandcare@gmail.com