Artists help kids with conservation exploration

Art and conservation are combining in the classroom for students across the region, as part of a new initiative in Nature Conservation Margaret River Region’s youth education program, Adopt a Spot.

The program has been running for almost a decade and involves Year 4 students from nine schools across the region, with each class learning about a nearby area of bushland, river, foreshore or coastline and then caring for it.

For the first time this year, professional artists are collaborating with each school to help children engage deeply with their adopted spot, exploring the local plants and animals, the Wadandi stories of connection, and how students can communicate these values through art.

All classes will then come together for an exhibition and celebration at the end of the year.

This week, Margaret River Independent School students tackled a clay making workshop with sculptor Tania Davey, making clay tiles of the shorebirds from their adopted spot, Redgate Beach.

Students from Karridale and Augusta primary schools will also explore their spot’s birdlife using clay.

Rapids Landing Primary School students are teaming up with Michelle Bretherton and Cara Ratajczak from Weaving Boodja to create woven art based on wildlife in their local wetland.

Margaret River Montessori School kids will explore their spot through printmaking with artist Emily Jackson.

Other schools across the region will be working with artists including Fi Wilkie, Francesco Geronazzo and Annie Murphy.

Ms Ratajczak described the program as an “incredible opportunity for local kids to truly investigate a special spot in the South-West”.

“Not only are the students learning about their spot’s ecological value, but they’re also connecting with the location on a cultural level and exploring their area creatively,” she said.

“It’s incredible to interweave these stories (of Wadandi custodians) with a spot’s ecological importance to then create an artwork with the kids.”

Program coordinator Tracey Muir said students relished the chance to learn from and work alongside local artists.

“It allows students to not only learn the science and culture of their local patches, but also how to express and communicate these values through art and celebrate their significance with the whole community,” Tracey said.

“Kids are also learning from Wadandi custodians about the cultural significance of bushland or coastal reserves that they ‘adopt’ and care for. It means some special areas of cultural and environmental significance can be restored and cared for consistently, with the help of volunteers and school students.”

In the past 12 months, students planted more than 2000 cuttings, almost 900 seedlings, and laid down 5 trailer-loads of brush to protect seedlings and dunes.

“The kids, teachers, parents and volunteers in our Adopt a Spot program are all keen to get their hands dirty, to make a difference and actively care for the landscapes we all love,” Tracey said.