Minister of Environment Liz Thompson-McDowald told the media yesterday at the opening of the Puppet Power Summer Camp that next year, the ministry would be using a national award as a further incentive for schools and youth groups with great environmental programmes.

The ministry currently works with eight primary and secondary schools and assists in the creation of environmental projects and initiatives.

Thompson-McDowald said she was pleased to see the number of groups that were preaching good environmental practices.

"What I think is significant is the number of programmes that are working on environmental issues," she said.

"If we are to change existing bad practices, we need to educate the next generations."