Community encouraged to join public art project with future conservationists

Community encouraged to join public art project with future conservationists

Phillip Island Nature Parks is engaging the next generation of conservationists through a public art project, inspiring young people to join vital environmental protection efforts.
Members of the community are being urged to connect with professional artists, youth artists, and youth wildlife ambassadors to help create community mosaic artworks at the new Yarning Circle cultural space at the Koala Conservation Reserve.
The mosaic art will be created on large pavers, which will be laid in the Yarning Circle to educate visitors about the plants and animals of woodland environments.
The project is being led by three Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists – Lenna Scholtmeyer, Arieta Fergie, and Rhylee Duell and they are painting a fence mural and ‘yarning sticks’ and making mosaic tiles for a fireplace as part of the project. Planting of
native species by the community will also be undertaken.
Two drop-in sessions will be hosted at the Koala Conservation Reserve visitor centre these school holidays on Thursday, July 6 and Friday, July 7 to engage creative young environmentalists. Sessions will run from 10am to 2pm.
The public art project is in line with Nature Parks’ commitment to foster better connections with young people, threatened species and the environment – inspiring them to volunteer in nature, create change and a legacy.
As part of Parks Victoria’s Volunteering Innovation Fund, Phillip Island Nature Parks has received a $27,000 grant for its Building a Brighter Future youth wildlife ambassador program to better connect young volunteers with leading conservation work.
Torres Strait Islander artist Arieta Fergie, 15, said she was enjoying being a part of the Yarning Circle art project because it was unlike any other art projects she had worked on.
“I really enjoy the small community we’ve made with Rhylee and Lenna and the adults involved in the project,” she said. “I’m thankful for the mentoring they are giving me and the opportunity to be involved in an art project that’s different to what I’ve done before.”
Phillip Island Nature Parks Visitor Experience Manager Kate Adams said engaging young people would open opportunities for youth to learn about local wildlife, conservation efforts and the island’s habitat through art-based activities.
“This fun, engaging public art project will provide opportunities for young people to learn more about Phillip Island Nature Parks and the important conservation work we undertake, as well as connecting them with like-minded peers,” Ms Adams said.
“The designs for the mosaic pavers will be Aboriginal symbols in colours that represent woodland plant species, which we hope will prompt important conversations about conservation.”
Phillip Island Nature Parks has appointed youth wildlife ambassadors who will take part in a range of volunteer opportunities across its programs, including the protection of hooded plover shorebirds, Eastern barred bandicoots, and revegetation projects.

“While our current band of dedicated staff and volunteers do an incredible job, we recognise the importance of fostering community understanding and creating young champions for conservation to continue this work for years to come,” she said.