Landcare Australia
Junior Landcare announces 7 year-old photographer national winner of the ‘What’s in Your Backyard?’ competition.
During the COVID-19 lockdown, Junior Landcare asked children across Australia to grab a camera and snap photos of the flora and fauna in their backyard, and describe why it was important to them.
After receiving nearly 3,000 incredible entries from children across Australia, 7 year-old Jarrah McGauran and his stunning image of a camouflaged moth won the competition.
Junior Landcare’s ‘What’s in Your Backyard?’ campaign encouraged the next generation to get out into their gardens, onto their balconies or even look outside their window to take in the nature right on their doorstep.
Junior Landcare Partnerships Manager Jo Stentiford said: “We are overwhelmed by the variety of photos from children living in the city and the bush who got involved. From birds and bugs, chickens and frogs, trees centuries’ old and new growth from the recent bushfires, and backyard veggie gardens.
“The photos demonstrate how every child has their own special connection with nature, no matter where they live. We wanted to encourage children to be aware of the environment around them, and to think about what that means to them. From the photos we received we can see that the children and parents really got involved, it made the judging process really interesting to read what was of interest to the children.”
Supported by Junior Landcare ambassador and gardening guru Costa Georgiadis, the campaign aimed to help kids appreciate their environment; to understand biodiversity, where their food comes from, Indigenous perspectives and waste management.
Kids submitted photos to Junior Landcare to be in with a chance to win one of ten $250 cameras.
‘What’s in Your Backyard?’ is a campaign activity in Junior Landcare’s new Learning Centre. This online resource has 30-minute learning activities developed by education professionals to help children be aware, empowered and active in caring for their local environment.
Created to be used by children at home, at school or in a youth group: www.juniorlandcare.org.au
*Jo and Jarrah are both available for select interview
In addition to national winner Jarrah, Junior Landcare has also revealed winners for each State and Territory and the national school winner.
/Public Release.
