Our Story
In 2017/18, Millennium Kids asked over 500 young people across Perth what they think are the big environmental issues. The response was overwhelming; kids want to talk to us about trees!
Kids know their stuff! They’re anxious about climate change and they know that our cities are heating up. They can tell you about the Urban Heat Island effect and that some native animals are facing extinction. They know that some Perth councils have only 10% tree canopy and 60% hard surfaces such as carparks and roads.
In 2018 — with kids at the helm — Green Lab was born, a citizen science program to help you get to know your trees, and help cool the city. Commencing as a series of two-day workshops with local primary schools, students and teachers explored bushland sites, looking at habitat and the pressure of the encroaching built environment. Students looked for birds, checked out tracks and scats, and built a bot to analyse soil.
Now, schools and local governments across the Perth metropolitan area are starting their own Green Labs. Initial projects are being developed in the City of South Perth, Town of Victoria Park and in City of Melville through support from Leeming Lions. Additionally, Coolbinia Primary School, Weld Square Primary School and Banksia Park Primary School have already put their hands up to be part of Green Lab initiatives.
In collaboration with Traditional Owners, climate scientists, historians, community stakeholders and government, kids are helping us love our trees, increase canopy and strengthen the ecosystems that support us all.
Watch our video to learn more about Green Lab
Since 1996, Millennium Kids has worked to empower young people, seeking their big ideas for the environment and leading to hundreds of inspiring youth-led initiatives. Green Lab is a Millennium Kids citizen science initiative, funded by the Western Australian Government’s State Natural Resource Management Program and supported by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and Trillion Trees.
The Green Lab Challenge is supported by Curtin University and the UNESCO Chair of Data Science in Higher Education Learning and Teaching, Curtin University.
Take the Green Lab Challenge
Explore the outside world and inspire your community
The online Green Lab Challenge provides a pathway for students to learn about their local bushland through citizen science and HASS activities.
Empowered by 
Since 1996, Millennium Kids has enabled thousands of young people to have their say about the environment, leading to hundreds of inspiring youth-led initiatives that have contributed significantly to the environment and communities in WA and beyond.