Cultural connections in the great outdoors

The Limestone Coast Landscape Board and Burrandies Aboriginal Corporation are excited to offer Walking the Seasons community walks across the region inspired by the First Nations seasonal calendar.

Walking the Seasons is an educational program that was inspired by the region’s First Nations seasonal calendar.

The program aims to help the Limestone Coast community connect with country and culture across the landscape.

Students and local schools have had access to the Walking the Seasons program over the past two years.

The Limestone Coast Landscape Board is excited to now offer this program to the wider Limestone Coast community.

Limestone Coast Landscape Board education coordinator Mel Holtz said it had been exciting watching this program evolve over the past two years from being predominately school based and now branching out into the wider community.

“Working collaboratively with Burrandies Aboriginal Corporation to develop the program and build First Nations Elder capacity through mentoring has contributed to the success of the program,” she said.

Burrandies Aboriginal Corporation acting CEO Tara Bonney said it was fantastic to be involved in this collaborative program creating awareness about the First Nations seasonal calendar and cultural heritage of the region.

“Providing a connection between country and culture gives the community a chance to gain awareness and knowledge about the environment from a First Nations perspective,” she said.

The Elder led community walks can take place anywhere in the local Limestone Coast landscape and will include cultural knowledge and discussions about the seasonal calendar.

Community organisations and volunteer groups in the region can express their interest by visiting lc.landscape.sa.gov.au.

Families wishing to undertake a seasonal walk are encouraged to attend A Day at the Lake being held at Lake McIntyre, Millicent on Friday, October 11.

This event is being organised by the Limestone Coast Landscape Board in collaboration with Wattle Range Council and Burrandies Aboriginal Corporation. The free family fun day out with be filled with activities.

This project is supported by the Foundation for Regional and Rural Renewal (FRRR), through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.

The community Walking the Seasons program aims to support the Limestone Coast to be better prepared for drought and dry times by learning more about the seasonal changes in our own landscape and understand how First Nations people lived and moved through the landscape.

This development of localised knowledge and skills helps to grow community resilience and preparedness through communities walking together in nature.

For more information please visit our website lc.landscape.sa.gov.au