Local environmental champions have been celebrated at Brisbane City Council’s recent WasteSMART Brisbane Awards.
Magic Ant Network, a not-for-profit based in Deagon and Bracken Ridge, received a highly commended WasteSMART Councillor’s Choice Award.
Founded in 2021 by Lachlan Boyes and Elijah Barnes, Magic Ant Network has organised 200 volunteer-led clean-ups through their Clean Ant Saturday initiative, aimed at reducing litter in parks across Brisbane’s northside.
“Elijah and myself are extremely grateful to the Brisbane community and in particular Cr Sandy Landers for nominating us for a Councillor’s Choice Award,” Lachlan said. “This means the world to our small team who are out in Brisbane parks week in and week out.”
Magic Ant Network has seen a significant reduction in litter since starting Clean Ant Saturday.
“Over the last few years, we have developed several data collections that allow us to see if we are making a difference,” Lachlan said. “We consistently see a decline in litter at the parks we have cleaned and are proud to see the majority of the time these parks stay relatively clean. With more volunteers, we would be able to cover more parks and travel across more of Brisbane City Council.”
When they founded Magic Ant Network, Lachlan and Elijah wanted to create an environmentally-focused project, with Clean Ant Saturday becoming their first initiative.
“We look forward to continuing this project for many years to come,” Lachlan said.
Mother Duck Childcare Bracken Ridge was also one of three finalists for the WasteSMART Early Learning Award.
For more information about the WasteSMART Brisbane Awards, visit wastesmartawards.com.au
To learn more about Magic Ant Network, visit magicantnetwork.org
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