How an early learning program is creating the next generation of eco warriors

When Keiki’s Eco Leader Imo Russell reflects on where her connection to the outdoors began, she draws on time spent in her grandma and grandad’s backyard garden as a child, and beachcombing for hours along the coast of Western Australia looking for hidden treasures. 

“Nature was just a place where I could go out and be myself; I could get dirty and I could have fun and I could yell and I could run around. It was my happy place,” she recalls fondly.

Fast forward 30 years, and Imo is now Keiki Early Learning’s first Environment and Sustainability Leader - a role which builds on her connection to nature and draws on her unique experience in both early education and care settings, as well as environmental conservation roles. 

Imo’s vision is to champion sustainable practices and care for the environment across all of Keiki’s childcare and OSHC services through the newly developed Eco Learning Program. This is achieved through targeted educator training, fun interactive incursions and excursions for children, and events to extend environmental education to families and the wider community.

“Sustainable practice and environmental conservation have always been a key part of our philosophy and educational program since our first centre opened in 2003,” says Keiki owner, Sam Morrell.

“The Eco Learning Program helps us to deepen our connection to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and expand knowledge of environmental protection to children, families and educators on a regular and consistent basis.”

Throughout term 1, children were encouraged to become Waste Warriors, with education on centre recycling systems, waste audits, the establishment and maintenance of worm farms and regular community clean-up excursions through the Adopt-A-Spot program. 

In addition, a community beach clean-up event held on 14 March attracted around 40 adults and children, who collectively removed more than 38 kilograms of rubbish from Quinns Beach.

Imo’s connection to Keiki started early, from completing work experience outside of school hours, to beginning a traineeship at just 16 years old. 

“I started at the bottom - doing the kitchen and the laundry, and it slowly turned into helping out in the afternoons with the children,” she explains. 

“I realised how fun it is, the energy that you get from them and the passion they bring is just incredible.”

After working across both childcare and Outside School Hours Care settings for several years, Imo discovered a deepening passion for the environment while travelling overseas. She went on to complete studies in horticulture, conservation and land management, putting her learning into practice through work with a local council.

After becoming a mother herself, Imo turned her focus back to educating the next generation about environmental awareness, describing parenthood as shifting her perspective on environmental protection from a passion to a necessity.

“The idea that my child might not get to enjoy those natural spaces the way that we have is not okay with me,” she says.

“You go from thinking it's worth caring about, to knowing it's worth protecting.”

This motivation inspired Imo to launch a personal passion project focused on environmental awareness and cleaning up public spaces, a non-profit initiative called the One Tonne Imo Project. To date, she has removed more than 200 kilograms of rubbish from parks, beaches and community spaces.

In January 2026, Imo returned to her roots at Keiki Early Learning, excited by the opportunity to expand her mission even further. She describes the role as her dream job.

“I think it brings together my two biggest passions, educating children and conservation, and combines them in this beautiful, fun and engaging way,” she says.

“And I love working with this age group because they haven’t been told they can’t do things yet. They’re open to the experience and the possibilities.”

When Imo visits a Keiki Early Learning service in her trademark sunflower dungarees, the children know there is some messy, hands-on learning and fun in store. 

There is even more planned for the 2026 curriculum, including nature excursions, garden projects, insect hotels, bird feeders, ocean protection education and community connection initiatives.

Both Sam and Imo are committed to encouraging a tiny fleet of eco warriors to make a meaningful impact in the world.

“I'd like to see that when the children are ready to go off to school, they have a really solid base of being able to make ethical, sustainable decisions,” says Sam. 

“That they understand not just the life cycles of the plants and animals we care for, but also the life cycle of the products and services we use.”

“The Eco Learning Program is about understanding our place in that cycle, and recognising that small changes can make a big difference.”

“Environmental impact is often framed in a negative way,” adds Imo, “but through small actions, you can make a really positive difference.”

“Conservation is about starting small and creating lasting impact. What better place to start than early childhood?”