WHO'S LEADING THE CHARGE IN AUSTRALIA? A Growing List of Groups Connecting People (Especially Children) to Nature
The Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) is bringing me to several cities in Australia on Feb. 22 to Feb. 26. And Australia is hopping with folks committed to the children and nature movement.
Here's a list sent to me by Antje Dun, librarian with ACF, about some of the great organizations doing inspiring work. I'm hoping to meet folks from many of these organizations during the tour.
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NATIONAL |
The Australian Conservation Foundation
www.acfonline.org.au
ACF stands for ecological sustainability, bringing people together to champion the true value of our environment and its critical role in sustaining all other systems and in achieving human wellbeing.
3000 Acres
3000 Acres aims to unlock underutilised land across the city to grow food and build strong communities.
Australian City Farms & Community Gardens Network
A national gathering nestled in Hobart with some of Australia's greatest food garden innovators coming together to teach connect, share, inspire and mobilise.
Conservation Volunteers, Naturewise Conservation Holidays
www.conservationvolunteers.com.au
Connect with nature and explore the great outdoors.
Earthwatch - Volunteer Vacations
Earthwatch combines volunteer opportunities for individuals from all walks of life ... This was a great opportunity to really get to know Australia's flora, fauna.
One Wave
http://www.onewaveisallittakes.com/
One Wave is a non-profit surf community that is raising awareness for being in a funk, anything from depression, anxiety and bipolar. We have found that the best way to beat a funk, is getting in the ocean and enjoying the waves and saltwater goodness.
Outdoors Inc.
http://outdoorsinc.org.au/
https://www.facebook.com/OutDoorsIncAustralia
Out Doors Inc. (Out Doors) is a non-profit statewide community managed mental health organisation that uses the outdoor environment as the means of delivering a range of adventure, recreation and respite programs to people living with a mental illness.
202020 Vision
The 202020 Vision is a national campaign to increase urban green space in Australia by 20% by 2020.
National Tree Day - Planet Ark
http://www.treeday.planetark.org/
Planet Arkand Toyota is calling on all Australians to Get Outside and Grow, and help make nature a part of our everyday lives where we live, learn, work and play.
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SCHOOLS |
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen GardenFoundation
www.kitchengardenfoundation.org.au
A not-for-profit organisation assisting Australian schools to implement and deliver theStephanie Alexander Kitchen GardenProgram.
Kids Teaching Kids
Kids teaching kids is an education program, delivered through schools which encourages kids to work together to identify and offer solutions.
One Tree Per Child
https://www.facebook.com/OneTreePerChild
The aim of 'One Tree Per Child' is to have every child under ten plant at least one tree as part of an official school activity.
Greening Australia - Greening Australia and your school
http://www.greeningaustralia.org.au/.../greening-australia-and-your-school
Have you considered a revegetation project in your school?
Junior Landcare
http://www.juniorlandcare.com.au
Junior Landcare is about encouraging young people to play an active role in ensuring the safe future of their environment.
My Green Wall (School vertical gardening program)
http://www.getrealgetoutdoors.com.au/my-green-wall
Nature Play Playgrounds, Nature Play WA
http://www.natureplaywa.org.au/case-studies
School Holiday programs
Ecotreasures, Sydney
Coastal Connections, Summer Holidays Activities Program, South Australia
Junior Rangers Summer Holiday Program, Victoria,
Nearer to Nature Summer Holiday Program, Western Australia
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NSW |
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/
Find great places to visit, memorable experiences and beautiful nature stays in national parks across NSW.
Wilderquest, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/Whats-On/wilderquest
During the school holidays NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service run a great WilderQuest Discovery program of events for kids.
COSS Family Nature Club— Gosford City Council
http://www.gosford.nsw.gov.au/recreation/natural_areas/COSS-family-nature-club/
A Family Nature Club is a group of adults and children who enjoy nature together on a regular basis.
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NORTHERN TERRITORY |
Fun in the Bush Parks and Wildlife Commission NT
http://www.parksandwildlife.nt.gov.au
Need Ideas for having Fun in the Bush? Want to learn more? The following ideas and information give young people the chance for discovery.
Junior Rangers - Parks and Wildlife Commission NT
http://www.parksandwildlife.nt.gov.au/learn-and-discover/junior-rangers
The Junior Ranger Program provides an opportunity for Northern Territory children to discover their natural and cultural environment.
Walking with Spirits
http://djilpinarts.org.au/visit-us/walking-with-spirits/
The Walking with Spirits festivals held each year at the end of July or early August at Malkgulumbu, a waterfall and sacred site on the land of the Jawoyn people.
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QUEENSLAND |
Connect with Nature - Department of National Parks, Recreation ...
www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/experiences/connect-with-nature
Information about the Connectwith nature activities, events and school programs which replace the Go Bush program.
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SOUTH AUSTRALIA |
SA Urban Forests Million Trees Program
http://www.milliontrees.com.au/
Read about SAUrban Forests Million TreesProject endeavors, learn about local plants and animals.
Trails SA
www.southaustraliantrails.com/
This website is a gateway to more than 400 trailexperiences across the wonderful state of South Australia.
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VICTORIA |
Parks Victoria - Healthy Parks Healthy People
Our parks are everywhere – from the most remote locations to right in the heart of the city.
Victorian Child &Nature Connection
www.victorianchildandnatureconnection.org
The Victorian Child and Nature Connection aims to reconnect Victorian children to nature.
Mud Monsters Gardening Group
Mud Monsters gardeninggroup offers a beginner gardening booklet and workshops for children.
Kids in Nature
http://www.kidsinnature.com.au/
A website and book about getting out and about in nature around Melbourne with young kids.
Bendigo Family Nature Club: The unofficial guide to Bendigo
http://iheartbendigo.com.au/2013/02/09/bendigo-family-nature-club/
Start your own nature club such as this one in Bendigo.
Ranger Roo, Victorian National Parks
As Parks Victoria's mascot, Ranger Roo inspires toddlers and young children to enjoy and appreciate nature and the outdoors.
Junior Rangers
Parks Victoria's Junior Rangersare born to explore. If you have an interest in nature, animals and the outdoors then Junior Rangers is for you.
Active in Parks Program, Geelong
http://activeinparks.org/?page_id=2863
Active in Parks supports targeted groups to undertake activities in parks and open spaces to achieve social, physical and mental health outcomes.
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WESTERN AUSTRALIA |
Nature Play WA
http://www.natureplaywa.org.au/
List of useful websites from Nature Play WA of organisations, where to go…
http://www.natureplaywa.org.au/links
The West Australian Family Bushwalking Club
The West Australian Family Bushwalking Club Inc. provides opportunities for family activities that encourage appreciation and enjoyment of the bush.
Goolarabooloo - LurujarriHeritage Trail
http://www.goolarabooloo.org.au/lurujarri.html
You will spend 9 days with the Goolarbooloo people of Broome W.A. walking the Lurujarri dreaming trail.
The Walkatjurra Walkabout
http://walkingforcountry.com/
The Walkatjurra Walkabout is an annual one month pilgrimage across Wangkatja country in Western Australia.
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Comments
Don’t forget NRM Education in Adelaide, Australia! Find us at http://www.nrmeducation.net.au
“NRM Education will work with your school community to plan and manage ongoing sustainability initiatives. We can help provide opportunities for students to take action on local environmental issues that will lead to improved educational and environmental outcomes linked to the Australian Curriculum. We work in on a range of initiatives including the Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative SA (AuSSI-SA), nature play and reconnecting people with the natural world - through our Engaging with Nature program, and a range of Youth Voice initiatives.”
Hi Richard,
One of real interest to you - the first Kids’ Adventure Fest, happening 5-6 April just outside Melbourne, Vic.
Check it out: http://www.kidsadventurefest.com.au
All inspired by reading your book many years ago.
Two other great resources for families….
https://www.facebook.com/PlayOutsideAustralia
and
https://www.facebook.com/NaturedKids