School holiday program encourages creativity and protects native animals

By Simon Ruppert

Oct 18, 2024

The Gecko Clan Landcare Network used a fun and creative school holiday program to teach youngsters about protecting Australia's native animals. Photo by Contributed

During the recent school holidays, Gecko Clan Landcare Network hosted a group of local children at a craft day on the Lake Benalla foreshore.

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The landcare collaboration is a network of 13 groups across north-east Victoria.

GLCN facilitator Alana Mountain said it decided to host a workshop as part of a nest box project called 100 new homes.

“Different groups were selected to partake in this project, and one was the Warrenbain-Boho group, and they were allocated 25 nest boxes.

“They came up with the idea of putting an event on in the school holidays and aiming it at parents with young kids.”

The colourfully decorated underside of Benalla Library was the perfect location for a school holiday workshop. Photo by Contributed

Youngsters had a great time helping to decorate the nest boxes, and some were able to take them away to locate on their families properties, in the Warrenbayne and Boho areas.

Ms Mountain said the project provided an opportunity to teach attendees the importance of looking after native animals in a fun and creative environment.

“There is a beautiful space under Benalla Library, by the lake, which is where we decided to hold the event,” she said.

The nest boxes are used by various animals, including possums and native birds.

“It was a great project that engaged kids through the medium of art to give them the ability to learn about the environment,” Ms Mountain said.