Appila Springs Environmental Education Day
A group of 130 students from seven schools across the Southern Flinders region recently took part in an environmental education day held by volunteers from the Caltowie Corridors of Green group.
The students, who attend Booleroo Centre District School, Gladstone Primary School, St Joseph’s School, Jamestown Community School, Laura Primary School, St James School and Wirrabara Primary School, learnt about native animals, bugs and slugs, rocks and minerals, reptiles, macroinvertebrates and feral cats.
Natural Resources Northern and Yorke Community Ranger Perri Carter said that the event provided an exciting opportunity for students to hear from a range of guest speakers, and to learn in an interactive atmosphere.
“This event has been developed by volunteers passionate about educating young people from the local community on a range of natural resource topics,” Ms Carter said.
“The environment day helps to foster a better understanding of our natural environment and why it need to be protected.”
Despite inclement weather moving the event from Appila Springs to Stacey Park Hall in Appila, the students had a great day learning from a range of experts, including Animals Anonymous, Bugs n Slugs and the Flinders Geology, Gem and Mineral Club.
Helen Lehmann from Jamestown Community School said the students love the opportunity to be hands on.
“I’ve been attending this event for many years with our students and it is always great – they learn so much without really thinking about it,” Ms Lehmann said.
“On days like today their brains take in so much information and having expert presenters on the day is such a great experience for the kids,” Ms Lehmann said.
Ms Carter said that without a dedicated and enthusiastic volunteer group such as the Caltowie Corridors of Green, an event like this could not have been created and sustained for so long.
“It’s such a great day for the students, but the thing that really stands out for me is the commitment from the Caltowie Corridors of Green group members, who have been putting this day on for 17 years,” Ms Carter said.
“The volunteers take time out from their own day-to-day lives to make sure local students have an opportunity to learn about our natural environment.”
The Caltowie Corridors of Green were one of twenty-one groups successful in receiving a Northern and Yorke NRM Board Community Grant in 2016/17, which will help the group continue to hold the Appila Springs Environmental Education Day.
For further information about the NRM Education program, click here or phone the Natural Resources Centre in Clare on 8841 3444.
