Celebrating a Wonderful Year of Stroud Junior Landcare

Celebrating a Wonderful Year of Stroud Junior Landcare

 

Stroud Junior Landcare wrapped up its year this week with a joyful morning of tree planting and terrarium building at Lion’s Park, marking the end of a hugely successful season of hands-on nature experiences for local children.

 

The session began with the young Landcarers planting native trees in the gully, contributing to ongoing efforts to restore Stroud’s riparian zones and strengthen local biodiversity. Afterwards, the group took part in a terrarium workshop where they learned how these miniature gardens function as complete ecosystems. Children layered charcoal for water filtration, sand for drainage, and soil for their plants before creating more than one terrarium each — many destined to become eco-friendly Christmas gifts for family and friends.

 

The workshop was made possible thanks to Jonno and Joël from Midcoast2Tops Landcare whose guidance, enthusiasm and knowledge have been invaluable. Organisers expressed deep gratitude, saying that without their support Stroud Junior Landcare wouldn’t be able to offer such rich, engaging sessions for local families.

 

This year, Stroud Junior Landcare has had much to celebrate. Monthly gatherings brought children together for nature play, tree planting, bushwalks, riparian restoration, and connecting to Country. Highlights included water and macro-invertebrate testing activities in Mill Creek, STEM-focused explorations of local ecosystems, and seasonal nature play mornings that encouraged creativity, curiosity, and a deep love for the natural world. The year concluded with hands-on terrarium building — a fitting end to a program centred on nurturing life, learning, and environmental stewardship.

 

Coordinator Rachel Barry, a Stroud local, reflected on the group’s achievements and the strong sense of community built throughout the year. “This year was all about helping kids fall in love with the natural world,” she said. “When children love a place, they naturally want to protect it — and that’s what Jr Landcare is all about.”

 

One of the youngest members summed up the spirit of the group beautifully: “Landcare makes my heart happy,” said Connor, 4 years old.

 

As the group pauses for the summer break, Stroud Junior Landcare is preparing for a leadership transition. Next year, Landcare member and passionate volunteer Michelle Weick will step into the role of coordinator while Rachel takes a well-earned break to welcome two new babies into her family.

 

Michelle, a local speech pathologist who runs Karuah River Speech Pathology, brings a wealth of experience supporting children and families. In 2025, she plans to weave fun, nature-based activities into the program to help develop children’s communication skills while they explore, play, and connect deeply with the environment.

 

Stroud Junior Landcare will resume activities in March, continuing its mission to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. Families are encouraged to follow updates via the Stroud Jr Landcare Facebook page. 

 

With a successful year behind them and strong community support, the future is bright for Stroud’s youngest Landcarers.

 

Keen to join Stroud Junior Landcare? Contact Lauren Beresh the Inland Coordinator on inland@midcoast2tops.org.au

 

If you are thinking about starting a Junior Landcare group for your area then reach out to your local coordinator for assistance or support@midcoast2tops.org.au