The Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation (NBRF) has partnered with Jane Goodall Institute gifting two $500 mini-grants in support of two young eco-champions and their environmental projects in the Noosa Biosphere Reserve.

Youth environmental leaders, Jarrah Small (13) and Spencer Hitchen (11) were the deserving recipients of a $500 Roots & Shoots Mini-Grant 2022 for their active participation in protecting animals, people, and the environment.

NBRF Chair, Rowan Rafferty said the Roots & Shoots program is a youth-led action program that makes a difference.

“We are delighted to be partnering with the Jane Goodall Institute Roots & Shoots Mini-Grants program and supporting two of our Shire’s young eco-champions to continue their conservation work in the Noosa Biosphere,” he said.

Roots & Shoots program builds on Dr. Jane Goodall’s legacy and vision of placing the power and responsibility for creating solutions to big challenges in the hands of the young people.

Roots & Shoots Australia Volunteer and Programs Manager, Ben Howes, said the program provides an exciting chance to share the recipients impact across the Asia Pacific region.

“We are grateful to partner with the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation who have generously supported two $500 Roots & Shoots Mini-Grants to local young leaders Jarrah and Spencer,” said Ben.

“The Roots & Shoots program is inspired by the incredible conservation legacy of Dr. Jane Goodall, with applicants receiving free mentoring and resources.”

“We wish these two inspiring young leaders all the best with their amazing projects. We’re really excited to see them care for animals, people and the environment in Noosa and beyond!”

Jarrah’s Wildlife Noosa project aims to reduce wildlife injuries and death due to fishing line and tackle. She said she seeks to raise environmental awareness in her community and improve wildlife rescue times.

“I hope to educate and raise awareness of the threats that discarded fishing line and tackle pose to our wildlife”, Jarrah said.

“I will be joining the local community members and other members of Wildlife Noosa to pick up fishing line and tackle along the Noosa River and record what we find. We will then dispose of it at our local BCF store in their “Rig Recycle” bin.

“Knowing that through the Root & Shoots program, I will get heaps of support and learn so much about helping my community to live in harmony with the natural world,” she said.

Spencer’s Save Sunrise Glossies Wildlife project aims to protect unique Glossy Black-Cockatoo habitat. He said he hopes the Roots & Shoots $500 Mini-Grant will go towards creating more awareness on how important it is to protect our native habitats for our wildlife to survive.

“The Roots & Shoots program gives me the opportunity to help our wildlife and that makes me feel happy,” he said. “Through my photographs I hope to inspire and teach people of all ages about our local wildlife and where they live.”