Coastal Custodians

This program is supported by Landscape Hills and Fleurieu’s Grassroots Grants Program, and is funded by the landscape levy. 

The program aims to educate young people (8-12yo) by giving them experiences of immersion and investigation, highlighting the importance of marine biodiversity and the local iconic species that are vulnerable, under threat, and recovering. The program is based on the Fleurieu Peninsula, centred on Victor Harbor. 

We will take young explorers on six different experiences along the Fleurieu Peninsula coastline during the school holidays in summer and autumn.  

There is a $120 commitment fee to participate in the activities (only $20 per activity!).  

The six activities are:

1. A dolphin watching Big Duck experience (summer)

2. Granite Island biodiversity treasure hunt (summer)

3. First Nations workshop on coast and marine resources (summer)

4. Beach sharing session: beachcombing, learning about the threatened hooded plovers, and removing rubbish from the beach (summer)

5. Whale spotter training (autumn)

6. An art workshop where any rubbish collected from the beach/sea during the previous activities will be used to create a piece of art (autumn)

Participants who attend all 6 activities will receive a certificate of completion, making them a Coastal Custodian!

The activities commence with a boat ride on The Big Duck starting at 9am, followed by morning tea on Granite Island. Participants will then go for a walk around Granite Island on a biodiversity treasure hunt and be back on the mainland in time for lunch (1pm). 

The second day will see children beachcombing and learning about our coastal environments and inhabitants, including First Nations perspectives, the Hindmarsh River Estuary, and the Hooded Plovers. 

In the autumn school holidays we will run a whale spotter training session, with entry to the SA Whale Centre, on Monday 14 April. The art sessions will be held on Tuesday 15 April.

**Please note that there are two groups in the program with one group starting at 9am for The Big Duck on Monday and the second group starting at 9:30am Monday, who will be having the beach sharing session on Monday and The Big Duck on Tuesday. Subsequent sessions in the autumn school holidays will be morning sessions for the first group (9am Monday 20 January) and afternoon sessions for the second group (9:30am Monday 20 January).**

More specific times and locations will be forwarded with a confirmation e-mail on booking in.