River Connections has been developed to engage young offenders in meaningful activities based around the protection and conservation of native animals, with the aim of steering these youths away from a life of crime. The programme focuses on environmental activities such as river conservation and revegetation projects, rescue of distressed native wildlife and removal of refuse likely to cause harm to wildlife.
Having just received a grant from the Department of the Attorney General for $199,900, the programme is set to expand with the purchase of a boat to work up and down the Swan River, collecting injured animals, providing for their recovery and releasing them back into their natural habitats.
Other activities undertaken at NAR include animal care, as well as construction and maintenance, gardening, land-care and basic life skills. All time spent working with animals at NAR can be used as credit towards TAFE’s Certificate II in Animal Care.
PCYC Youth Liaison Officers supervise the young people while at NAR. The officers act as mentors with the aim of addressing and reducing offending behaviour, thereby having a positive impact within the community.
