At first glance, you may think you have very few native animals scurrying around your backyard, but Australian gardening icon Costa Georgiadis says there’s a whole lot more than you think.

As part of Junior Landcare’s ‘What’s in your backyard?’ campaign, Aussie kids are encouraged to explore their backyards and gardens to discover just how much flora and fauna lives around them.

“We’re calling on all Aussie kids to get outside and explore their local environment,” says Costa.

“Your backyard might be a garden. If you live in an apartment, your garden could be plants on your balcony.

“You may live near a park or bushland area, or a river or wetland. You may live on the coast close to the sea, or on a farm – these could all be your backyard!”

Children can lack love for their environment if they aren’t involved in caring for it, Junior Landcare says, so they’re promoting kids getting their hands and feet dirty while discovering their local environment.  

As part of National Biodiversity Month in September, children can submit photos of the flora and fauna they find for Costa to see on the Junior Landcare website and go in the running to win a range of prizes, including a visit from Costa himself!

“Young people play a vital role in caring for our environment, which needs all the help it can get! Junior Landcare gives children – no matter where they are across the country – the opportunity to understand nature, connect with it and take action to protect the world around them,” says Costa.

“With Junior Landcare, we are educating the next generation of Landcarers – and this starts with parents, carers and educators encouraging simple moments outdoors.”

This year, Wiradjuri man Adam Shipp has together created with Junior Landcare 10 new First Nations learning activities to additionally encourage children to have a connection to country throughout the campaign.

Not only can Canberra children watch and learn from Costa on ABC Kids Get Grubby TV, but they will also have the chance to see him up close at Floriade this year!

On Sunday 25 September, Costa will be welcomed onto the Floriade stage at 12-1pm, and will also host meet and greet sessions at 10-11am and 2-3pm.

So, do you know ‘What’s in your backyard?’

The ‘What’s in your backyard?’ campaign closes on 31 October. Find out more at www.juniorlandcare.org.au

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