Junior Ranger Program

Kids and their families are invited to join fun and educational outdoor activities with Parks Victoria these school holidays, 21 September to 4 October, as part of the Junior Rangers program, proudly supported by Macpac. People can participate in ranger-hosted events, self-guided activities and get All Fired Up meeting Ranger Roo at the 2019 Royal Melbourne Show*.

Free ranger-hosted activities are taking place across the state for kids aged 6 to 12 and their families to have fun learning in nature, get outdoors and better understand Victoria's wonderful plants, wildlife and amazing natural and cultural heritage.

Can't make it to one of our ranger-hosted activities? Don't worry, Parks Victoria has organised a Spring Bioblitz on 3 and 4 October which is a fun community-driven, self-guided online nature survey. Simply grab a camera or smartphone and head into one of our parks to record the plants and animals you encounter! By participating in the Bioblitz, families will help scientists better understand the amazing array of life in Victoria's parks. Visit juniorrangers.com.au to find out how.

Ranger Roo will hop into the 2019 Royal Melbourne Show alongside park rangers and friends from Forest Fire Management Victoria. He will host four Junior Ranger activities each day of the show for kids to learn about fighting fires in parks and forests. Registrations are available at the Forest Fire Management Victoria and Parks Victoria stall in the Channel 7 Entertainment Precinct at the Show. Places are limited so be sure to get in early. Participants will go in the draw to win some great prizes including a Macpac backpack, a behind-the-scenes tour at Serendip Sanctuary or a $500 shopping spree at a Macpac store.

Parks Victoria Education and Interpretation Officer, James Adams, says the variety of activities on offer these school holidays will engage kids and families in exploring the natural world around them.

"The Spring Bioblitz is all about fostering kids' natural enthusiasm for discovery by providing a fun, hands-on opportunity to contribute to nature conservation. The data collected will be used by Parks Victoria's science team to better understand the amazing diversity of life within our parks which will help us protect it."

"Ranger Roo inspires children's interest in Victoria's magnificent parks and waterways and builds a love of nature for future generations. Now that he has a brand-new uniform to match our rangers, he's excited to show it off around at the 2019 Royal Melbourne Show," says James.

All activities are free but bookings are essential and children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.

Visit the website juniorrangers.com.au for details about all these activities including dates and locations, and to register your attendance for a ranger-hosted activity. For more information, call Parks Victoria on 13 1963.

*Regular entry fees to the 2019 Royal Melbourne Show apply.