Walking the Seasons is an educational program that was inspired by the region’s First Nations seasonal calendar.

The program aims to help the Limestone Coast community connect with Country and culture across the landscape.

Educators and students at Grant High School have been involved with the pilot program for the past 12 months.

Limestone Coast Landscape Board Education Coordinator Vanessa Freebairn said, with an emphasis on ecology and citizen science, the program had a strong alignment to science curriculum providing teachers with the confidence to deliver content around First Nations perspectives in the classroom.

“It has been exciting watching this program evolve over the last 12 months,” she said.

“Working collaboratively with Grant High School educators to co-design this educational program that supports students to connect with Country and learn about local ecology has been a wonderful experience.”

Aboriginal Education/SAASTA Coordinator for Grant High School Sarah McCarthy said students involved with the program had successfully gained a deeper understanding of culture and Country from local First Nations elders and experts through hands on experiences in our landscape.

“This program is integral to student wellbeing through mindful connection with themselves and nature, as well as supporting learning outcomes through Indigenous knowledge,” she said.

“I encourage schools within the region to take a further look at this program when planning for 2023.”

Resources developed by the Limestone Coast Landscape Board links to the Australian Curriculum and Landscape Education Coordinators can assist schools looking to be involved in 2023.