Young leaders thrive in great outdoors

THE magic spot activity at Earthkeepers’ Camp is a highlight of the Limestone Coast Landscape Board’s Young Environmental Leaders Program every year with students embracing the opportunity to sit quietly by themselves, awakening their senses and observational powers.

One student’s recollection of the experience reflects the experience of so many of the participants.

“The distant whoosh of a helicopter flying overhead, silenced by a gush of wind howling through the trees,” the student said. “The singing chirp of birds and a sudden screech. A cockatoo flying overhead, the laughing of a kookaburra a distant pledge. The bumpy, not to mention rough Sheoak beside me peels its bark.

“A few stumps sit lonely, free for a companion. Bridal creeper makes the contrast of the ground bright green. Leaves signal to me that the wind has picked up. In a cage of trees quite relaxing actually.

“Besides all that the distant murmurs of great survivors talk to me about how they coped with change, their home destroyed. To our success we changed what we destroyed. These days will be remembered forever.”

Representative students in Years Five and Six join the program to develop their love of nature and learn about the interconnectedness of all living things.

Over the two days of camp at Naracoorte Caves, students commence their journey as apprentice Earthkeepers.

The magic of the program deepens their appreciation of native animals and plants and the interconnectedness of all living things with soil, air and water.

For the remainder of the year, students will seek their remaining Earthkeeper keys and share their school projects at the end of the year.

For more information, go to lc.landscape.sa.gov.au