Photo: Supplied.
RANGER STACEY THOMSON IS PRINCIPAL ADVISER – COMMUNITY EDUCATION (REDLAND CITY COUNCIL)
Four decades have fluttered by since I first pulled on the mission brown Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service ranger uniform, with Herbie the Herbert River ringtail possum logo proudly positioned on my sleeve.
As a Ranger, my favourite thing was to find wonder in the natural world around me … and share my passion with anyone who was interested.
That philosophy continued through my television era as I instinctively delved into each story with child-like enthusiasm, to reveal fun facts, unique animal behaviours, and unusual adaptations for species survival.
A whole generation of ’90s kids were lucky to be exposed to a plethora of totally wild topics.
Now in my work across Redlands Coast, based at IndigiScapes, it’s a privilege to inspire a new generation of nature lovers … to look for the “extra” in the “ordinary”!
The extraordinary is everywhere. You don’t have to venture far to see, feel, and experience the wonder of nature.
Each month at Joey Club, I lead a bunch of budding nature lovers (average age three) on a wild adventure. We look, listen, move, and learn – all while having fun. Recently, we looked for koala scats and scratch marks on trees, because while spotting a koala is the ultimate, discovering their tracks and traces is also exciting!
If you’re keen to spark that child-like enthusiasm, here are a few simple tips:
- Check out all levels, from the canopy to the leaf litter.
- Stop and take a moment. What’s the rush? We see more when we slow down.
- It’s often the little things that possess intricate beauty, like delicate wildflowers and tiny blue banded bees.
- Use a range of senses – look for signs of animal activity, smell native mint or eucalypt, touch rough and smooth bark, and listen for wild sounds.
Remember, you don’t have to be a kid to feel the freedom and thrill of spending time outdoors. In fact, in this fast-paced, technologically advanced world, there’s no better time to get out there and connect with nature, the good old-fashioned way!
Until next time … Stay Wild!
