Youth in Botanic Gardens - Missing in Action? Not on your life!

Since long before my nearly 40 years in the amenity and landscape industries there has been a constant call for more youth in our industry, in our industry bodies and as our advocates. Increasingly youth, those in the 13–22 demographic, are seen as missing in action across our spheres of interest and operation. Is it because it is simply ‘not cool’? Is it that by unintentionally alienating youth we have become our own worst enemies? Is it simply a function of the passage of life or have we been ignoring the opportunities before us to engage with youth?

I will be candid. Though it is on our mind, and part of the wider function of our parent Parks Sport and Recreation business unit, Wellington Gardens currently does not yet set out to formally connect with youth. Our mission for now is to connect with children aged 3–12 years to sow the seeds of the importance of plants to people, place and planet, and to open their eyes and their minds to the need to value plants, to care for our open and urban spaces and to benefit conservation, ecological health and people’s wellbeing. The increasing disconnect from nature, especially with urban intensification, at times even a fear of nature, is not going to be addressed by preaching to young people. The connection will be embedded in their values as part of their early childhood learning and positive, affirming experiences with nature or from families and communities who are already connected and engaged with nature.

The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney’s Youth Community Greening program 1 with its focus on disadvantaged youth aims to:

• Improve physical health

• Improve mental health

• Reduce anti-social behaviour

• Build community cohesion

• Tackle economic disadvantage

• Promote understanding of native food plants

• Conserve the environment

• Provide skills training to enable opportunities for the future.