NatureFiji-MareqetiViti initiates a program of Eco Camps in Ra and Natewa.
The first ever eco camp organised by NFMV was hailed a great success by students and teachers alike.
This eco camp was conducted for the senior students in Navitilevu District School in Ra and Natewa District School, Vuanisaiki Primary School and Wailevu Primary School in Natewa, Tunuloa.
These project sites are associated with Important Bird Areas (IBAs), sites which are globally recognized as important for bird conservation.
The kids had firsthand experience in bird watching and tree planting.
Other activities included an amazing race, quiz and fun activities which mainly focused on birds and other significant biodiversity in the Vatuira and Natewa Tunuloa IBAs. Selected teachers and members of the Local Conservation Groups (LCGs) in both IBAs took part in these two eco camps. The students also learnt the importance of team work through their group and now understand that they can learn valuable lessons from their friends. The eco camp activities allowed them to make sound decisions involving their natural resources.
Each of the four schools have established Nature Clubs which will facilitate activities such as composting, recycling, gardening, tree planting and bird watching. Nursery materials such as green house shades, gardening tools and vegetable seedlings were supplied to the schools.
In addition to this, educational materials such as a bird pocket guide and comic book was produced based on the respective IBAs.