Online Learning Centre to make children environmentally aware

Junior Landcare has launched an online Learning Centre featuring activities developed by education professionals to help children be aware, empowered and active in caring for their local environment.

The online resources are suitable for use with children aged five to twelve, making them an ideal way for Outside School Hours Care services to be involved in supporting children to engage in efforts to care for the planet.

Funded by Woolworths, the ‘dynamic 30-minute learning activities’ focus on four key areas: food production, Indigenous perspectives, waste management and biodiversity.

Each month, new activities will be added to the learning centre, with each activity including easy-to-follow instructions, photos and videos, useful links and tips.

A Learning Centre focus activity for February is What’s Happening in the Habitat showing children how to identify animals in their habitats by exploring either their backyard, schoolyard, a local park, etc. Another very timely activity for the current hot weather is Water for Wildlife which explores practical ways children can help wildlife in times of extreme heat.

Dr Shane Norrish, Landcare Australia CEO said: “The goal of our Junior Landcare program is to promote continuous participation in Landcare activities from childhood to adulthood.

“A key part of this is creating engaging educational resources. We’d like to thank our partner Woolworths for their further support in enabling us to develop this important resource.”

Woolworths Supermarkets Managing Director Claire Peters said: “Building the next generation of environmental champions is something that we continue to be passionate about.

“Further to our Junior Landcare Grants program, Woolworths is proud to be able to support Landcare Australia to make it even easier for children to learn more about how they can help the environment via this online learning centre, which is full of wonderful activities and tips.”

The Junior Landcare Learning Centre can be found here.