Frontline environmental lessons

School students explore the great outdoors with local elders

Five more schools have embraced the ‘Walking the Seasons’ program this year, following its pilot introduction into Grant High School last year.

‘Walking the Seasons’ was inspired by the region’s First Nations seasonal calendar.

The program aims to help the Limestone Coast community connect with country and culture across the landscape by observing and recording flora and fauna as young citizen scientists.

This year, the program has been rolled out to other schools in the region with five schools coming on board and undertaking the program as part of their curriculum.

The Limestone Coast Landscape Board has developed a range of resources for the program and can provide on country support for excursions through their Landscape Education team.

Landscape education coordinator Vanessa Freebairn said it was great to see primary and secondary schools showing such a keen interest in the educational program.

“The Limestone Coast Landscape Board are passionate about First Nation’s nature education,” Vanessa said. “Supporting educators in this space is something we are proud to be involved in.”.

Schools involved in the program have the opportunity to learn from local First Nations Elders about the significance of the seasons and how indigenous people moved across the landscape using resources of the land.

Students have visited Honan’s Forestry Reserve, Canunda National Park and Naracoorte Nature Parks as part of their experiences On Country.

Being outside the classroom exploring and recording observations in the local landscape provides hands on learning.

David New, First Nations partnership coordinator said the program had produced some really positive results working collaboratively with Burrandies Aboriginal Corporation in facilitating First Nations elders for these sessions.

“Thank you to Elders Uncle Doug Nicholls and Aunty Michelle Jacqueline-Furr for sharing their knowledge with the students through the program,” David said.

If you would like more information about the Walking the Seasons program please email lclandscapeeducation@sa.gov.au or check out our website www.landscape.sa.gov.au/lc

According to the latest Survey of Recreational Fishing in South Australia (2021-22) there are about 360,000 recreational fishers in South Australia, and recreational fishing contributes $1 billion to the state’s economy (about 1 per cent of the Gross State Product).

The survey runs until July 27 and can be accessed through Recreational Fishing Tourism Strategy | YourSAy yoursay.sa.gov. au/recreational-fishingtourism. The strategy is due to launch by March 2024.