From climate voices to community action: James Henderson and the birth of Wattle

When James Henderson joined the Carlton Neighbourhood Learning Centre’s Climate Voices – Leadership and Advocacy program, he was looking for ways to turn his passion for the environment into tangible action.

Today, he has done just that, founding Wattle, a youth-led environmental non-profit that is bringing the next generation together to protect and restore our local environment.

James had been involved in revegetation and community projects for several years but noticed a gap.

“There were not many spaces specifically for young adults to get involved,” he said. “Having an organisation that meets the next generation in spaces they already occupy such as universities, social media, and other youth-led spaces is so important. I wanted to create something that made it easy to turn up, get your hands dirty, and feel like part of a movement, even if you had never done anything like it before.”

Wattle focuses on making environmental volunteering accessible, fun, and community driven. It is not just about planting trees, but also about building leadership, knowledge, and networks among young people.

One of its flagship projects is the creation of an urban nature corridor along the banks of the Birrarung behind Melbourne Girls College. Over the past year, volunteers have transformed the site from a patch dominated by invasive species into a space brimming with native gums, wattles, and shrubs, providing vital habitat for birds, frogs, bees, and potentially even sugar gliders.

This transformation is powered by community effort. On National Tree Day, Wattle joined forces with Melbourne Girls College and the Australian Conservation Foundation to host one of its biggest working bees yet. Around 90 people, many aged 18 to 30, came together to plant 250 native trees and shrubs, helping stabilise the riverbank and improve local biodiversity. There was a mix of first-time volunteers and regulars, united by a shared commitment to making a difference.

At Carlton Neighbourhood Learning Centre, we are proud to have supported James through our Climate Voices – Leadership and Advocacy program, which helps participants build the skills, networks and confidence to lead change in their communities.

Seeing James take that learning and turn it into an initiative like Wattle is exactly the kind of impact the program aims to achieve.

With projects like Wattle leading the way, the future of our local environment looks a little brighter and a lot greener. •