Landcare grants for young environmental champions

Landcare Australia and Woolworths are on the lookout for primary schools and early learning centres with ideas to connect young people with nature and inspire them to play an active role in the safe future of their environment.

The latest round of the Woolworths Junior Landcare Grants program is now open, offering the chance to share in $1M to support the development of hands-on environmental learning projects.

Grants of up to $1,000 are on offer for projects focussed on sustainable food production, improving waste management practices, enhancing native habitats and deepening First Nations perspectives. This could include planting native herbs and plants, helping children learn more about different species of plants, and their connection to the land and its people.

Woolworths Bateau Bay, Lake

Haven, Lake Munmorah and Tuggerah Group Manager, Belinda Page,said that getting children involved with handson activities in and around nature was an incredible way to help them explore sustainability in action.

“Over the years, we’ve seen some great ideas from schools and early learning centres that were brought to life and encouraging kids to explore, appreciate and care for the environment around them.

“No idea is too small, and we can’t wait to see what’s ahead for this next round of applications,” Page said.

Through its junior program, Landcare Australia has also worked closely with First

Nations educator and Wiradjuri man, Adam Shipp, to develop environmental learning activities for educators and children to learn more about how they can have a connection to Country.

The activities range from exploring First Nations weather, to creating an Indigenous plant-use garden and exploring a First Nations peoples’ languages map.

“As a proud Wiradjuri man, I believe it is extremely important that environmental based organisations recognise and work with First Nations groups,” Shipp said.

“By teaching younger generations about traditional ways of caring for Country, we can deepen knowledge of and respect for First Nations culture and practices.”

Landcare Australia CEO, Dr Shane Norrish,said Junior Landcare had always recognised the vital role children played in taking care of the natural environment.

“As we continue to grow the number of First Nations perspective resources on the Junior Landcare Learning Centre, we are thrilled to be able to support Wyong region children and educators in building their knowledge of Traditional Land Management and Cultural Heritage when it comes to caring for our land and water,” Norrish said.

Since launching the program in 2018, more than 3,820 school groups have been supported with more than $4M in funding to help children all across the country get handson with caring for the natural environment.

Applications for the 2023 Woolworths Junior Landcare Grants are open until March 17 and for more information go online to juniorlandcare.org.au and check out some of the creative ideas the program has already supported and get some tips to bring environmental education and First Nations perspectives into your school or early learning centre.

Source: Media release, Feb 10 Woolworths/Landcare Australia

It’s been a week when the local markets have been flooded with flowers but have you considered growing your own cut flowers?

Not just to fill your garden with colour, perfume and beauty but for a focused harvest?

While it can be difficult to lop off the stems in your garden design, if you set up purposebuilt gardens, just as you would for say veggies, then it becomes a whole lot easier to cut down bunches of flowers. Don’t get me wrong, your harvestable flower crop will still add interest and colour to your garden!

Preparation

Just as you would any garden, you will need to make a plan. Factors to consider before deciding on which flowers to grow on your site include soil composition, light, access to water and possible environmental challenges such as wind and visitors that may become pests.

You may find you will need to