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As another brilliant West Australian sunset fades into the sea, nine-year-old Ben O'Lara and I stroll along the beach toying with the surf, chasing seagulls and collecting marine debris.

Suddenly, Ben stoops to pick up a stray chip packet then turns and, through a gappy ear-to-ear grin, says, "When I grow up I think I want to be a National Park Ranger or something. That's how I can help all the animals and sometimes teach people about the environment".

He then launches into a series of elaborate (and surprisingly accurate) explanations of current environmental issues, before finishing with a flash of that smile, a pledge to ride his bike to school and a dash to the nearest rubbish bin.

It has become increasingly apparent just how crucial it is for younger generations to appreciate the enormity and complexity of the world's environment problems - after all, our kids will inherit the burden.

With climate change, water shortages, deforestation and a myriad of other eco-issues splashed across our media, though, kids like Ben and his friends are starting to become aware of why it's important to care for our planet.

However, the trend of deepening environmental knowledge, the sudden 'coolness' of green issues and the willingness of young people to put it all into action is the fruit of Australia's blossoming environmental education system.

The 2006 Australian census showed that more than a quarter of our population (25.33 per cent) are aged under 18, which is the prime learning period of life. Wishing to foster a sustainable future through eco-empowering the next generation, our educators have not overlooked this statistic.

Indeed, many feel that with positive messages and youth-led action, the time is ripe to make significant steps forward.

Empowerment

Leading the way are innovative organisations such as Millennium Kids, a Perth-based non-profit group run by young people, aged 10 to 25 years.

What began in 1996 as the Kids Helping Kids Environment Conference has gradually developed into a youth-led initiative boasting a host of environment projects, school road shows, TAFE-related programs and activities that address children's concerns about the environment.

"Kids learn best when they are excited, impassioned and empowered," says Catrina Aniere, Millennium Kids' program director.

"The real encouraging thing is that because we also work on leadership and skills building, we will have 130 kids' teams out there excited about teaching others about the environment."

For Millennium Kids, allowing young people to identify, discuss and then follow their own environmental passion is the key to making huge long-term inroads.

The programs cover a wide range of areas from sustainable energy plans and native animal rescue, to the government's TravelSmart initiatives, kayak-based marine studies (in pristine environments such as Ningaloo Reef in WA, no less!) and waste management strategies.

Such activities establish sound environmental ethics and leave lasting impressions.

"The number of people who just keep coming back to be involved is amazing," says Aniere. "Even kids now living overseas who worked with us when they were 12 are in contact to see if they can develop programs in places like the UK. To see this is just so encouraging."

Developing outdoor education programs involving leave-no-trace camping, self-propelled travel and simple living is another highly effective approach that nurtures positive interactions with the environment.

"Outdoor education can be a profoundly invaluable way of connecting young people with the environment because of the contact it offers and the freedom it gives kids to direct their own learning," says Mark Dingle from Victorian Outdoor Education Association.

Positive feedback

While there are countless approaches, educating kids about the environment boils down to engaging their initial interest and then developing a positive framework for continued discovery.

In the WA town of Margaret River, teacher Gene Hardy has managed to create his own program of marine and coastal education - presenting issues such as sand dune and marine bird protection in fun and interactive ways.

By developing an interactive board game (where students gain eco-cred for things like sticking to designated paths or collecting rubbish) and facilitating hands-on night hikes and guided snorkelling sessions, Hardy has made considerable progress in developing local community awareness.

"Once kids are aware of the environment and how it affects everything we do, then they are more inclined to protect it," he says. "They are also more confident when it comes to encouraging their parents to do the right thing!"

According to Kathryn Choules, education lecturer from Melbourne's Deakin University, encouraging children to think through the reasons they need to look after the environment helps them build their own environmental philosophy.

To develop an understanding of the way we are connected to the environment, she suggests employing simple activities such as asking your kids to think about the resources needed to create the food they eat - for example, people, plants and animals, sun, water and soil.

Another good technique might be to use the language of 'needs' and 'wants' to help children to see that many of the things our society encourages us to believe we 'need' are really 'wants'.

Mel Doherty from the Iramoo Sustainable Community Centre believes that giving kids core skills and inspiring them not to be overwhelmed by environmental problems is the first and most important step in a life-long process.

Doherty conducts interpretative programs for primary-aged children aimed at imparting simple practices that can be taken into any setting. At Iramoo, kids can search for endangered species, conduct insect surveys or learn about the grassland food chain.

For Doherty, the simple pleasure of interacting with children inspires her work and offers encouragement for a bright environmental future.

"The child I help today might go on to invent some whiz-bang solar panel that solves all our future energy issues in the future. You just never know..."