Small rural schools often struggle to be able to offer their students interesting learning opportunities, due to the logistical issues and costs associated with getting experienced presenters to the school. As a result, kids at these schools may miss out on these valuable experiences, which can have a big impact on their awareness of, and interest in, topics which are outside the standard teaching curriculum.
With the help of a grant from Riverina Local Land Services, the Eastern Riverina Landcare Group, Petaurus Education Group and Murrumbidgee Landcare combined to develop an exciting and engaging Landcare Gala Day format which can be delivered to local schools in a simple and effective process. The events are held at a local nature reserve or Travelling Stock Reserve, with the students travelling by bus to the location. Students are divided into 3 or 4 groups, and then participate in a series of round robin activities, covering topics such as native plants, endangered fauna, water bugs, bush treasure hunt, indigenous art, live reptiles, tree planting, nest boxes and indigenous stories. Each activity is led by one or more facilitators from the 4 partner organisations.
