Western Landcare NSW Inc.

Inspiring Junior Landcare

Engaging primary school children to recognise, understand and participate in actively taking care of their environment.

Capacity to Deliver - Ref LP045-013

The issue

Primary school students don’t necessarily recognise or understand the environment in which they live.  They don’t always know or understand about ecosystems, food chains, or the difference between native and introduced pests such as rabbits, cats or carp. Helping students to observe what is in their own backyard, school yard or local park and to take an interest. To observe how, why and where birds, animals and insects live, where they drink, eat and sleep. How one person, can make a difference. Finding a way to educate students in a fun and inspirational way one activity at a time.

The solution

Create activities that use the imagination and ideas from a combination of people or are adaptions of current activities.  Visiting primary schools, speaking with students, working with children making activities to suit age groups, abilities and time frames. It is important to make the activities fun, engaging and inspiring so the students want to learn more.  One creation was an interactive ecosystem quilt. A basic quilt showing a river, the muddy bottom, bank and the sky, students were encouraged to speak about a particular laminated creature before placing it on a Velcro spot on the quilt.

The impact

Creating activities that students enjoy, want to play and promote conversation, was exciting. Seeing children outside school asking me about ‘the quilt’ and “when can I visit school again”, was also super inspiring. Our children are our future. They need to know, understand, and be encouraged to look after the environment.  Not everything can be fixed when it is broken or damaged. Learning to look after the environment in a fun inspirational way is what Junior Landcare is all about.

Author: Vanessa Anderson

Key facts

  • Educating primary school children on their local environment. How they can help, What they can do and Why they should be involved in Junior Landcare, today, tomorrow, soon.