A movement built by young people, for young people

Co-Exist was founded on a simple but powerful idea: when young people connect with nature, they step up to protect it.

Founder Kurt Jones knows this firsthand. Growing up in a low-income area, he struggled to find direction, often feeling disconnected from his community and the natural world. It was an outdoor program that changed his life. Surrounded by the raw beauty of nature, Kurt found a sense of purpose, resilience, and a passion for conservation.

He threw himself into wildlife restoration and environmental education, but noticed a gap: there weren't enough spaces for young people to lead in conservation and feel like they truly belonged. He set out to change that.

In 2022, Kurt formally launched Co-Exist with a bold vision: a nationwide movement where young Australians reconnect with nature, take real climate action, and build stronger communities through local collectives. Today it is a thriving community of young leaders running conservation in cities and towns across the country.