Nature Play SA left lasting impression on Eyre Peninsula locals

Eyre Peninsula educators, community and local government value time in nature for children, discussed in last month’s Nature Play SA workshops.

Three workshops in Ceduna explored how unstructured outdoor play in nature can benefit children’s physical and mental health.

Participants included local teachers, health care workers, professionals, mums, dads, grandparents, council members and staff. Natural Resource Officer Tayla Bowden said each session was well attended.

“We hope now that these conversations lead to opportunities for children of all ages to have access to unstructured play and natural play spaces, away from escalating screen time,” Tayla said.

The educator workshop involved 36 participants, with representation from across the region including Ceduna Area School, Ngura Yadurirn Preschool, Koonibba Preschool, Penong Primary School, Karcultaby Area School, Crossways and Streaky Bay Children Centre.

Natasha Gill from Karcultaby Area School said she was excited to develop nature play within the school community.

“I can already picture the students at our site that will benefit from this play. I can picture their faces and the positive role it will have on their mental health and wellbeing,” Natasha said.

The evening community workshop attracted 24 people.The following day’s session involved the District Councils of Ceduna and Streaky Bay. Streaky Bay staff discussed implementing nature play within current play spaces.

Joy Welshman from the District Council of Ceduna was impressed.

“The workshop was excellent. I will be pushing the nature play concept with councillors and staff,” Joy said.

Nature Play SA, established by the South Australian Government to promote unstructured outdoor play in nature, presented the Ceduna workshops with Simon Hutchinson from Climbing Tree.

Funding came from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme Targeted Area Grants.

Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula would like to thank all of those who attended and showed interest in this event, and thank Nature Play SA staff who did a fantastic job demonstrating the importance of nature play in our community and facilitating conversation.

Visit Nature Play SA www.natureplaysa.org.au or Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula www.landscape.sa.gov.au/ep/get-involved/schools for more information.