TURTLE CAMP: ENGAGING KIDS ON COUNTRY

Across Australia, various Traditional Owner-led ranger programs employment Aboriginal group to attraction for Country. 

They look aft onshore management, (seed) disease management, prescribed burnings and wide conservation efforts. 

These incredibly knowledgeable rangers are moving to prevention autochthonal Aussie wildlife and landscapes. 

But these programs are often geared towards those successful their precocious 20s onwards. So what astir younger Aboriginal kids?

That’s wherever turtle campy comes in. 

TURTLE-Y COOL

Clodagh Guildea useful for nan Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA).

She is nan Education Project Officer for nan North West Shelf Flatback Turtle Conservation Program (NWSFTCP). 

Caption: A flatback turtle makes its measurement up nan beach
Credit: © Calen Offield via seaturtlestatus.org

“This is simply a programme that has backing for up to 60 years to conserve flatback turtles crossed nan Pilbara region,” says Clodagh. 

These turtles are endemic to bluish Australia, meaning they’re recovered obscurity other successful nan world. 

The NWSFTCP has 3 main goals: improving investigation outcomes for flatback turtles, informing stakeholders and expanding connection and education. 

“Embedding acquisition opportunities for young group … connected Country is simply a privilege for conservation programs,” says Clodagh.

HAPPY CAMPERS

Part of these acquisition efforts is to animate and prosecute Aboriginal kids to proceed aliases amended their relationship to Country. 

To do this, Clodagh and her colleagues activity pinch various foundations, Aboriginal corporations and schools.

Caption: Kids pinch their domiciled models connected Thevenard Island successful 2024
Credit: Clodagh Guildea/DBCA

“We were liaising pinch them, reasoning really do we get … nan adjacent procreation of Aboriginal kids involved?” says Clodagh.

This collaboration resulted successful a inferior ranger campy to prosecute kids successful caring for Country. 

‘Turtle camp’, arsenic it’s affectionately known, allows kids from Onslow and Karratha to spell retired to distant Sea Country. 

They participate successful investigation pinch scientists and get up adjacent and individual pinch turtles. 

“The kids are ever very energised and happy to beryllium connected nan land and spot nan turtles and acquisition hands-on science,” says Clodagh.

“This is astir connecting young group backmost to Country and [connecting] to conservation pinch affirmative domiciled models.” 

ALL HANDS ON DECK

While retired connected Country, kids get to beryllium hands connected and progressive pinch nan investigation branch of nan NWSFTCP. 

Clodagh says they activity alongside scientists collecting data, scanning microchips and assessing turtle health.

Caption: Turtle campy subordinate Ryder measuring a flatback turtle ammunition pinch Clodagh Guildea 
Credit: Suzanne Wilson

“We return nan kids retired … pinch nan scientists. It gives them nan opportunity to link to Sea Country,” says Clodagh.

Clodagh says a cardinal portion of their occupation is providing dream and encouragement for these kids’ futures.

“We want to show them imaginable pathways and talk astir those different opportunities and careers that beryllium successful marine management,” she says.  

A STARTING POINT

While turtle campy isn’t a nonstop pathway to nan ranger program, Clodagh says it’s a starting point.

“We conscionable want to make judge we’re engaging kids,” says Clodagh. 

The Buurabalayji Thalanyji Aboriginal Corporation Clodagh collaborates pinch is processing a ranger program.

Caption: Students and unit from Roebourne District High School moving connected turtle investigation connected Delambre Island
Credit: Tristan Simpson/DBCA

“Once nan ranger programme is established, we’re looking astatine establishing nonstop pathways done [turtle camp],” says Clodagh. 

“We want kids to spot this arsenic a [career] anticipation and get that relationship to moving connected Country and moving successful conservation.”

“We do really want to shape those pathways that kids tin tangibly return to move from experiencing nan subject and experiencing moving connected Country to doing that successful nan future.” 

ENGAGING THE FUTURE

Given nan extended backing of nan NWSFTCP, turtle campy has awesome potential.

To person immoderate dream of protecting Aussie wildlife and ecosystems, it’s important existent and early young group want to do thing to help. 

Caption: Kids learning astir flatback turtle eggs and hatchlings 
Credit: Clodagh Guildea/DBCA

“We request nan adjacent procreation to beryllium afloat engaged successful nan biology challenges that we’re facing going into nan future,” says Clodagh.

For kids who are engaged successful connecting to Country, thing is possible.