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Hundreds of children now have the opportunity to learn more about the environment at Omaui, thanks to funding from the Les Hutchins Conservation Foundation.
Funding from the Foundation has enabled the Y Southland to engage environmentalist and author, Lloyd Esler, to create an environmental education resource available for schools to hire while using Omaui Camp.
The product is a 54-page document filled with interesting information spanning a huge range of topics linking to current NZ curriculum, along with a set of activity sheets, activity resource kits, and a health and safety at Omaui Camp guidance document.
The environmental education resource aligns ideally with recent work completed onsite at Omaui Camp. In 2024 Rotary Invercargill teamed up with the Y to construct a new 350m gravel track – a spot that is ripe for environmental learning opportunities and complete with interpretive panels on the flora and fauna in the area.
Y Southland Chief Executive Pete Thomson said the Y was extremely grateful for the support of the Les Hutchins Conservation Foundation. “This has been a fantastic project for the Y and really opens up even more opportunities for school groups using Omaui Camp,” he said. “Omaui is a special place with native bush and reserves and the beach both right there – a prime spot to educate the next generation about our environment.”
“We are really excited to launch the resource and get kids out there learning – and having fun while doing it!”
“We’d like to express a huge thank you to the Les Hutchins Foundation for enabling this project, and to Lloyd Esler for sharing his incredible knowledge and expertise to create something really special.”
