Tucked into the Georges River bushland, Oatley Park is home to some of Sydney's most precious native plants — and some of its most creative young bike riders. This August, both groups are coming together to make something new.

Ramp Up is an intergenerational art workshop that invites young people aged 14 to 18 to paint designs based on native plants in a bold street art style — and in doing so, discover the ecology of one of Sydney's most significant patches of urban bushland.

Guided by Oatley-based artist and youth worker, Luke Chaplin, you will choose a native plant and bring it to life using graffiti and street art techniques. Along the way, you will hear from members of the Oatley Flora and Fauna Conservation Society — people who have spent over 70 years caring for the park — about the plants and trees that make this park worth protecting.

You will also have the chance to have your say about bike ramps in Oatley Park, contributing to a real community conversation about how the space can work for everyone.

The workshop is particularly suited to young people who are curious about nature, environmental volunteering, or careers in horticulture, ecology or land management.

Ramp Up was born from the belief that knowledge changes behaviour — and that art is a powerful way to build and share knowledge. Ramp Up is a project of Studio Elsie, a new South Sydney initiative using art to support community connection, wellbeing and healing. It is supported by The Oatley Flora and Fauna Conservation Society, The Bike Shed Mortdale and Headspace Hurstville.