By Coen
I was honoured to be awarded the 2026 Yarra Ranges Youth Environmental Achiever for my conservation efforts.
I volunteer at Friends of Hughes Creek Sassafras and spend a lot of my time working on the Next-gen Hills Naturalists blogs, newsletter and podcast. I’m also part of the Platypus Education Group and I participate in many citizen science programs.
If I had to give one message to young people it would be, get into nature. Nature gives so much to me and I love giving back. If you live in the Dandenong Ranges area, check out the Our Mountain Home Webpage and discover loads of groups and action you can do to help the environment.
“Understand why you live here and how important it is to have nature around you.”
-Gary Visser, Next-gen Hills Naturalists Podcast Episode 2
That’s not the only way. Even just going for a walk in nature is full of benefits and will make you feel great. I highly recommend it.