Byron Youth Service aims to promote ecological practices among young people through their six step program. The steps include making a commitment to the environment, listening to youth, taking stock of environmental impacts, taking action through programs and activities, integrating environmental education, and celebrating successes. Examples provided include eco-landscaping projects and fashion design initiatives that promote reuse and sustainability.

1. Byron Youth Service thinks Eco Friendly Putting ecological practices into action with young people.

2. Taking the step…. The Six Steps in becoming an Eco-friendly Youth Centre: 1. Commitment. 2. Listening to young people. Investigating environmental impacts. Action. 5. Integrating environmental activities into centre. programs and activities. 6. Celebration!

3. Starting out Acknowledging the importance of environmental awareness and personal action - become motivated to act further and use what you have already done as an educational platform. Find ways to include environmental education and practice in the work you already do - use a captive audience and build your actions into your existing activities. Unearth the positive environmental impacts young people are already having. Promote what you are doing to the community. Use resources that already exist in your community to support your activities.

4. Walking the Talk … you and your building

8. YOUNG PEOPLE AND ENVIRONMENTAL PARTICIPATION

9. Eco - Landscaping Waste management Water use Energy use Food Making a living in the eco industry.

16. The Upper Coopers Creek Public School has embarked on an eco mission to green their school. As part of that greening a “Hilton Hen House” has been constructed by volunteers and professional Permaculture practitioners wanting to help the school become an example for other schools to learn from. Young people from a “Eco-Landscaping” Course run by the Byron Youth Services and supported by BETC have been working on the HHH to get the project finished on time. Helpers from Jasper Hall, (a Permaculture farm near by) have also volunteered time and resources to the project. Other helpers include Re Genesis who donated the Wheelie bin to make the worm compost system.

17. Fashion Design….. Reusing and Revamping second hand garments. Promoting recycled as “cool and funky”. Promote eco-ware and “no-sweat” production.

20. So What Makes Slingfings so Specials? It is our use of reclaimed vintage fabric, and manufacture using solar power which has made us a stand alone business in the Australian fashion industry. From the tongue in cheek humour on our swing tags, to this funky website and our cosy retro showroom in Byron Bay, Slingfings is about living the dream. And that dream, for the proprietor of the business, Rachel Bending, was Solar meets Vintage….or as the strapline of the business says Eco Meets Retro. Pioneering and promoting sustainability in fashion

25. Events Management….. Waste management. Energy consumption. Opportunities to educate patrons.

26. Example of eco events policy guidelines (Department of Environment and Education (NSW)). www.environment.nsw.gov.au/education/WWE_Home.htm Step 1 - Commitment Step 2 - Event Packaging Step 3 - Event Equipment Step 4 - Management System Step 5 - Standard Signage Step 6 - Communication and Promotion Step 7 - Evaluation

30. Hospitality….. Food sources (local and organic). Waste management Eco-friendly catering

33. Natural Therapies….. Organic food. Avoiding chemicals. Exercise for life. Natural products for good health. Embracing the natural environment.

34. Lunchtime Program Obtaining eco-friendly food (go organic). Sourcing unwanted food from local business. Waste management.

36. Lifeskills (minimal budget is the mother of eco-friendliness). Buying cheap, healthy, eco-friendly food. Managing home waste. Transport. Binning your butts. Second hand clothes.

38. Focus groups……. Talking directly to young people about their/issues concerns. Finding out what they already know and do. Using that information to inform your organisations environmental priorities and potential involvement of interested young people.

40. Identifying areas for environmental integration…… What green things is your organisation doing already that can inform young people about environmental awareness? What activities or programs have you got going right now that can be greened? What new green activities or programs can you start that fit your organisations existing environment?

41. And finally….the Water Filter!