Junior rangers discover national park treasures

Monday 21 January, 2013

Children spent time discovering some of nature’s beautiful treasures at Barmah National Park last week as part of Parks Victoria’s Junior Ranger program.

Rangers ran a series of fun and interactive activities designed to connect children to the forest as part of its Summer Discovery Program held in River Red Gum parks this summer.

Throughout the day, the children discovered who lives in the bush by playing cool environmental games such as 'I spy', ‘Who am I’ and ‘Drains and Ladders’.

The kids learnt about Aboriginal culture through a demonstration of Aboriginal artefacts by Parks Victoria Cultural Officer Greta Morgan, as they touched and held boomerangs, killing sticks and shields.

Participants also learnt how to spot an ancient scar tree and tried Aboriginal painting techniques on leaves and trees with ochre.

Other highlights of the day included a ranger led walk with Parks Victoria Summer Ranger Jeffrey Millott and River Red Gum Community Engagement Officer Beth Taylor.

Lanie Pearce from the Goulburn Valley Landcare Network led a game called Murray the Fish to show how changes in water quality caused by different pollutants can impact on fish living in the river.

Parks Victoria Community Engagement Officer Beth Taylor said the Summer Discovery Program is a great way to get kids out of the lounge room and into the amazing parks on their doorstep.

“The Junior Ranger Program is a positive and healthy way to instil a life-long love of nature in kids.

“We could just see the pleasure on their faces as they clambered through the forest on the hunt for trash and treasure, and eagerly put up their hands up to answer questions and get involved,” she said.

The program has run in Shepparton, Barmah and Echuca and is set to hit Wangaratta, Cobram and Yarrawonga this week. For more information contact Beth Taylor on

For more information, visit www.juniorrangers.com.au or call 13 1963.