Western Australia's Bush Rangers cadet program is celebrating 15 successful years that have seen thousands of young people volunteer millions of hours for nature conservation projects.
In total, more than 12,000 secondary school students have volunteered 3.4 million hours to their communities and the environment under the Bush Rangers WA cadet program.
In 2012 alone, 1,500 Bush Ranger cadets dedicated more than 180,000 hours to projects which included harvesting termites for numbats at Perth Zoo and planting wildlife corridors for Carnaby's cockatoos.
The program is a partnership between the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) and the Department for Communities.
The Bush Rangers celebrated the milestone with awards to three volunteer instructors on Friday, April 19.
They are Bronwen Worthington from the Geographe Education Support Centre, Gary Thirlwell from Duncraig Senior High School and Colin Hawke from Mount Lawley Senior High School.
In a joint statement, Environment Minister Albert Jacob and Youth Minister Tony Simpson said they exemplified dedication and outstanding commitment shown by Bush Ranger instructors.
"They are to be congratulated for their efforts, along with the many others who volunteer their time to co-ordinate activities and events for cadets," Mr Simpson said.
"The community work undertaken by Bush Rangers during the last 15 years is extensive and continues to be incredibly valuable for a generation of West Australians."
Mr Jacob said that by participating in the program, young Bush Rangers were learning a range of practical life skills and were delivering positive messages to the wider community about the role played in preserving the State's biodiversity.
Five high schools have been in the program continually since 1998. They are Duncraig, Esperance, John Forrest and Rossmoyne senior high schools and John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School.
Fact File
There are 33 metropolitan and 25 regional Bush Ranger units
Year 10, 11 and 12 cadets complete training levels which contribute to their WA Certificate of Education
Youth Minister's office - 6552 6600
Pictured L-R: Joanna McLeod and Jack Bates from Duncraig Senior High School, planting seedlings on sand dunes at Grey, south of Jurien Bay.
Photo courtesy of Gary Thirlwell
