``I didn't want to do it,'' Sam said. ``But we started doing human rights and I got really into it.''

Sam, 17, is now a youth leader with OzGreen and hopes other local youth will sign up for the upcoming OzGreen youth congress in the Southern Highlands.

``I wrote to Campbelltown Council about some issues and they suggested I join the youth advisory sub-committee,'' she said.

The council then recommended she attend a youth leadership camp with OzGreen last July.

OzGreen is a non-profit organisation which inspires people of all ages to reduce their eco-footprint, think and act sustainably.

``It taught me a lot. I still email people from it and it encourages you to make a change if you've got that support there.''

Sam has been busy this week with HSC exams and hopes to do an arts degree majoring in human geography at Wollongong University.

The OzGreen youth climate congress will be held from November 24 to 26 at KAZCARE in Bowral. It will include discussions on local action, creative thinking on sustainable futures, action planning and a youth forum.

Details, registration: Alison, 48844467 or Annabel, 0406187655.