Student representatives from primary schools across the region met at Broulee for the annual event, hosted by Eurobodalla Shire Council’s environment team.

This year the students came from as far afield as Braidwood and Bermagui, joining almost 30 other young participants in the “outdoor classroom” around Broulee beach.

Landcare co-ordinator Emma Patyus said the forum allows students to meet like-minded children from other schools and spend a day learning about environmental issues in the local area.

“We discuss what’s being done to tackle the issues and how they can help become part of the solution,” Emma said.

“They then go back to their schools and present the information they have learnt to their peers.

“They pretty quickly make the shift from students to teachers!

“This year we focused on the role of Landcare volunteers in the natural environment, the types of activities volunteers conduct and how the students can incorporate Landcare into their schools.

“Some of the students had already been involved in Landcare either with their schools or with their families, which is fantastic.

“We love getting kids active, having them interact with students from other schools and allowing them to enter a space where they can ask as many questions as they like, make some noise and get a little messy.

“The outdoor classroom is often where we see that lightbulb moment for many kids, who perhaps struggle in the structured indoor classroom or who just find their voice comes a little easier amongst the chorus of birds and the crash of the waves.”

Emma said Council’s environment team regularly worked with students of all ages, from pre-schoolers to adults.

“Where we can, we love to take students on an excursion but we also conduct in-house activities on school grounds and in classrooms. 

“It’s awesome having the opportunity to share our knowledge and passion for the environment with the kids.  It’s such a buzz – a lot of the time they are teaching us.”