Murtoa College Landcare engagement
Yarrilinks Landcare was lucky to participate in World Environment Day on June 5th with a Junior Landcare engagement day at Marnoo, in partnership with the Buloke and Northern Grampians Landcare Network.
I say lucky because it was a delightful day of activities with Marnoo Primary and Murtoa College grade 3/4 students, of which was enjoyed by children and adults alike. The students were full of curiosity and an overbrimming energy to learn about all that we as Landcarers and Landcare professionals are passionate about - the natural environment, habitat, native animals, and a kick of footy.
The students were introduced to Landcare with a classroom discussion before venturing through a schoolyard scavenger hunt where they had to identify various habitats, and their potential inhabitants, to uncover the motif C.A.R.E. F.O.R. T.H.E. L.A.N.D. Thereafter, a puppet-show to introduce local species and the importance of nest boxes for habitat captivated curious minds and hands, and the activities concluded with questions summarizing the days learnings. Our questions were met with school yard enthusiasm as answers came thundered back at us from a myriad of small voices: where do galahs live? “TREES!”, what do koalas eat? “LEAVES”, what does extinct mean? “TO DIE FOREVER”, does a wombat need a nest box? “NO”, and what does the flying fox say? … … … The question remains.
World Environment Day is an internationally recognized day and summit by the United Nations hosted annually since 1973. This year’s summit was hosted by the Republic of Korea with the theme and focus being #BeatPlasticPollution, in line with the UN Environment Program Sustainable Development goal which is progressing towards the securement of a global treaty for ending pollution.
The students embraced the principles of Landcare with enthusiasm, making the day both meaningful and fun. Their eager responses and excitement remind us that small actions (and small people) have so much power in creating change for local environment and the larger global movement. Their energy gives hope that the next generation will continue working towards a healthier, more sustainable world, which is encouraged by local Landcare and the teachers that invite us into their classrooms, and amused, maybe, by my capacity to kick a banana on point.
For more footy tactics and environmental puppet shows,
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