Worimi man awarded Young Conservationist of the Year

“It’s really inspiring to be recognised for the work I’m doing and the work I’ve been doing for a few years.” Twenty-five year old Worimi man Joshua Gilbert is the 2016 Australian Geographic Young Conservationist of the Year for his work, challenging the Australian agricultural industry to be more sustainable.

Joshua Gilbert, Young Conservationist of the Year. Source: Supplied

A fourth generation cattle farmer who grew up in the town of Boorowa, Joshua Gilbert says he's always had an appreciation of the environment. 

"I grew up in rural and regional areas and that was a good way to connect with the land," Joshua told NITV.

"Being Indigenous you always have that connection, but when I reached my teenage years I found that I was really able to find my culture and reconnect to the land."

The young conservation has spent the past two years lobbying for climate change.

Joshua Gilbert, Young Environmentalist of the Year.

"I’ve always believed climate change has been impacting us. I’ve been lobbying for climate change for two years straight, and it’s been a really great journey.”

As chair of the NSW Young Farmers Association, he led a push for greater use of renewable energy within the Australian agricultural industry.

For me it was a no brainer. The two just kind of made sense to me. It was a really great opportunity for agricultural Australia to get involved with climate change.

As this year's winner of Australian Geographic Young Conservationist of the Year, Joshua plans to continue lobbying for his three passions; Indigenous affairs, the environment and agriculture.

"I now have a really great opportunity to connect those three areas to make an impact."

You can hear more from Joshua when he joins environmental activist David Suzuki tonight on The Point with Stan Grant at 9:00pm.