ABC Gardening Australia host and avid green thumb, Costa Georgiadis is joining forces with Junior Landcare and asking kids ‘What’s in your backyard?’ It’s a question being asked as part of National Biodiversity Month and encourages children to grab their camera and snap away at the flora and fauna in their backyard.
Acknowledging that children cannot be involved in caring for their environment if they don’t love it, the campaign pushes kids to get outside and explore.
“We’re calling on all Aussie kids to get outside and explore their local environment,” Mr Georgiadis says.
He says a backyard could be a garden, or it could be plants on a balcony if you life in an apartment.
“You might live near a park or bushland area, or a river or wetland. You might live on the coast close to the sea, or on a farm — these could all be your backyard,” Mr Georgiadis says.
Supporting the campaign is host of Channel 10’s The Living Room, Barry Du Bois. He says he wants his 10-year-old twins to experience the same sense of wonder around nature as he did when he was young.
“As a young boy, I loved exploring the creeks, beaches, animals and secret hiding spots in my own backyard,” Mr Du Bois says. “There’s something magical about nature, and the ‘What’s in your backyard?’ campaign will help kids find that magic.”
Kids can share their photos
With the help of parents, carers or educators, kids can submit their photos to the Junior Landcare website. There are four themes, including biodiversity, food production, First Nations perspectives and waste management.
You can even go into the running to win one of nine cameras valued at $250 each. There are also book hampers and other great prizes on offer. Costa will also visit one school group to inspect their environmental projects.
Resources build knowledge and connection to biodiversity
‘What’s in your backyard?’ is a key activity of Junior Landcare’s Learning Centre. The platform features fun, easy-to-use learning activities developed by education professionals. It’s about helping children be aware, empowered and active in caring for their local environment.
The aim of the resources is to help children build knowledge and deeper connections to biodiversity. They will learn more about where their food comes from, recycling and waste management, and First Nations perspectives.
There are 10 new First Nations learning activities developed by Landcare Australia in collaboration with First Nations educator, Wiradjuri man Adam Shipp. These resources teach children and educators about how they can have a connection to country.
“Young people play a vital role in caring for our environment,” Mr Georgiadis says. “Junior Landcare gives children the opportunity to understand nature, connect with it and take action to protect the world around them.”
About Junior Landcare
Junior Landcare allows children to become more active in ensuring a safe future for the environment. Junior Landcare activities help kids develop skills, share knowledge, create experiences and foster connections with place and community. The program encourages continuous participation from childhood to adulthood.
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