Students from Alesco Senior College are spearheading a major ecosystem restoration project in Elermore Vale, thanks to a Youth Climate Action Grant from City of Newcastle.
Their project is one of 18 local youth-led initiatives to receive a share of $150,000 in funding, delivered through a global partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies.
Led by ReGen Alliance, the Alesco initiative will see 750 native trees planted to transform degraded bushland into a living classroom, offering students hands-on experience in land care, ecology and sustainability.
The weekly sessions will cover everything from site prep to long-term monitoring, turning education into real-world action.
The funding is part of the second round of the Youth Climate Action Grants program, supporting young people aged 15 to 24 to design and deliver local climate projects.
City of Newcastle is one of just three councils in Australia participating in the global Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund, having now distributed $225,000 across 30 initiatives since the program began.
Newcastle’s young climate leaders are turning their ideas into action across a broad range of sustainability themes—from habitat restoration and clean tech to recycling and education.
University of Newcastle students Luca Surman and Ryan Muir developed Bingage, a smart recycling system on Callaghan Campus that rewards students for good recycling behaviour with prizes and real-time app engagement.
Other standout projects include Lambton High’s Eco Bloom, which will create a pond and garden to support local wildlife; and Conservation Critters from Newcastle High, a program that encourages biodiversity awareness through guided nature tours and pollinator picnics.
These youth-led projects align with City of Newcastle’s Climate Action Plan and Environment Strategy, supporting a greener, more climate-resilient city. With innovation, purpose and passion, Newcastle’s next generation is showing how local action can drive global change.
