A Year of Green Action
How Millennium Kids’ GreenLAB Program is Changing the Environmental Game
Have you noticed things are heating up this year? It’s not just the weather—Millennium Kids’ GreenLAB team is turning up the heat on environmental action! After taking a well-deserved break over the summer, the youth-led initiative kicked off an exciting year of programs that are set to make a lasting impact on our planet in 2025. GreenLAB, a citizen science initiative in Perth, empowers young people to monitor, care for, and adopt trees in urban landscapes—creating real change through hands-on action.In 2024, with support from Department of Communities, Youth Engagement Grants, we collaborated with Friends of Lake Claremont to bring a range of activities to the local community. Here’s a look at how each month brought fresh opportunities for youth leads to step up, each bringing their own environmental challenge.
February: Buzzing with Native Bees
The year began with a buzz as Preston led an exciting workshop on the importance of native bees. As the local bee expert, he guided participants in creating ‘bee hotels’—custom-built accommodation to attract and protect these essential pollinators. Native bee ecologist, Dr. Kit Prendergast, joined in, offering a guided tour to help participants identify the best plants and locations for their bee hotels. The event kicked off a year of ecological education, with a focus on making our cities more welcoming to native wildlife.
March: Mindfulness in Nature
In March, GreenLAB took a step toward holistic environmentalism with a mindfulness session led by Layla at Lake Claremont. Her inspiring mandala art and poetry-writing activity allowed participants to connect with nature in a peaceful and creative way. The event highlighted the importance of mental well-being in environmental work, showing that protecting our planet starts with cultivating a deep, personal connection to it and those around you.
April: Birds, Art, and Dance
April brought even more excitement, with Isabella leading a bird-watching session that allowed participants to learn about local birdlife. The event was followed by a calming drawing and painting workshop with Hannah, encouraging attendees to express their environmental love through art.
This month was particularly special as the Western Australian Multicultural Lions Club hosted the Bollywood Dinner Dance, raising funds for GreenLAB’s programs. The event combined vibrant culture with environmental support, showcasing how community events can fund positive change.
May: Funky, Groovy, and Wild
May was a month of creativity and exploration. The Junkadelic workshops at Lake Claremont and at Kent Street Weir, in partnership with the City of Canning, allowed participants to craft their nature song using the unique, funky musical instruments from recycled materials, celebrating the power of repurposing and sustainability.
June: Back to the Roots
In June, the GreenLAB team took a journey back to the place where it all began: Milyu Nature Reserve in South Perth. This site has been central to Millennium Kids’ work since 1992, and the return to this natural sanctuary reminded everyone of the power of local conservation efforts. The visit highlighted the importance of preserving green spaces in urban environments, inspiring participants to continue working toward a healthier, more sustainable future. 
July: Wildflower Photography Workshop
Sophie Xiang led a phone photography workshop focused on wildflowers and plants, showing how technology and nature can work together to capture and preserve the beauty of our environment. The month also culminated in beginning to plan for Vienna’s exhilarating scavenger hunt.
September: Celebrating the Environment
As the year progressed, GreenLAB made its mark at the Celebrate Lake Claremont Day Festival in September, with a booth showcasing the team’s work. Preston was once again in the spotlight, offering bee face painting and prizes to those who participated in Vienna’s scavenger hunt. The event served as a reminder that environmental action is fun and engaging—proving that everyone can make a difference, no matter their age.
Looking Ahead to 2025
With so many exciting events already under their belt, GreenLAB is gearing up for even more youth-led events to upskill and craft next generation leaders in 2025. From bee conservation to mindful art and community-driven conservation efforts, Millennium Kids is proving that the next generation of environmental leaders is already here. With their passion, creativity, and commitment, they are showing the world that we all have the power to take action, one tree, one bee, and one mindful moment at a time. Stay tuned for more updates and get ready to join Millennium Kids’ GreenLAB movement across Perth.
See you soon!
Josh and the GreenLab team
