Schools from across the Island will soon be selecting students to take part in the first ever youth environmental conference, `Youth 2000'.

Conference organisers feel that the Island's high population density and booming economy have created an economic incentive to over exploit the Island's limited natural resources.

It is hoped that the conference will help in developing a conservation ethic within young people by getting them to participate in the conference -- an ethic that they will be able to share with other students at their schools.

Secondary, middle and primary schools across the Island are invited to send up to four delegates to attend the event.

The conference will give young people an opportunity to focus on some of the Island's environmental issues, express their concerns and adopt resolutions for the management of the Islands natural resources.

The Conference is being held as part of Earth Day 2000 celebrations and will run from April 26 to 28, in conjunction with the Agricultural Show.

The Bermuda Zoological Society is the patron of the conference while the Bermuda Under Water Exploration Institute has offered its conference Centre for the event and the Stemple Foundation has been kind enough to sponsor the event.

Conference organisers are now working with a committee of local conservationists and educators to prepare the conference. Topics on the agenda could include the damage of the ozone layer, pollution, litter and the importance of trees to the environment.

Prior to the conference students will be taking part in a survey to help choose topics for discussion.

Organisers hope the surveys will help them to pick topics that the students are concerned about.

And to help promote `Youth 2000' conference organisers are looking for a catchy slogan.

They are asking for students to come up with an environmental slogan to be used with their logo on conference material.

The winning selection will be awarded a `Youth 2000' T-shirt.

At the end of the conference these resolutions will be presented to the Environmental Minister by a youth leader chosen from among the attending delegates.

Outstanding conference delegates will be invited to take part in a `Youth Can' environmental video conference in May and possibly the United Nations Youth Conference on the Environment in England.

Conference organisers feel it is important for young people to become involved in the environmental issues that will affect and succeed them for generations to come.

Anyone with entries for the T-shirt contest can send them to the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo by mail (`Youth 2000' T-shirt contest, C/O Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo, P.O. Box FL 145, Smith's FL BX, Bermuda) or fax (293-3176).