Enticing children away from screens and encouraging them to play outside is a common request from parents in this digital age.
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So often in advertisements, Australia is shown as a nation defined by its outdoor environment.
However, research by PlanetArk revealed that we have become a nation of indoors, not outdoors.
One in ten Aussie kids play outside once a week or less.
In a single generation, there has been a profound shift from outdoor to indoor play. When kids do find themselves in the backyard and local parks they may think there is not much to do.
Landcare activities are one way of re-awakening the joy of being outside, sparking kids imaginations and encouraging a love of nature.
During recent Junior Landcare Gala Days local primary and secondary schools spent time with the Creative Catchment Kids team from Petaurus Education Group with support from Holbrook Landcare, Local Land Services and DPI Fisheries.
The kids combed through the bush on scavenger hunts looking for bush treasures like curly leaves, a feather or a flower.
They played at being Squirrel gliders searching for safe passage from cats and foxes by adding trees into the landscape.
Other kids netted water bugs, found native fish like the endangered Southern Pygmy Perch and identified pest fish like Redfin and Carp.
Some kids even learnt to paint with Indigenous artist David Dunn with a focus on native plants.
When asked how they enjoyed the day the resounding response was “great”.
One student even said, “I didn’t think this would be any fun, but it was, I didn’t even mind getting dirty hands”.
Local Landcare Co-ordinator Paula Sheehan said “Outdoor activities help children develop physical and cognitive skills, encourage them to use their imagination and help reduce stress.
“Junior Landcare enables kids of all ages to become involved with a range of environmental projects with different topics depending on the season.
“It also provides a great framework for learning in outdoor ‘living classrooms’ and can be successfully integrated into a range of topics within the school curriculum.”
Petaurus Education Group works with a wide range of schools across the region to develop and implement Junior Landcare activities like the recent Gala Days.
For information on how to get involved contact Owen Dunlop on 02 6021 1876 or Paula Sheehan on 0407 873 396.
Paula Sheehan is a local Landcare Network co-ordinator.
