Bringing Conservation to the Classroom with Lessons in Conservation

Earlier this April, HERD was thrilled to welcome a passionate group of students from Lessons in Conservation (LIC) – a youth-led organisation that aims to inspire and educate children about the natural world through engaging environmental education. The LIC team visited Jameyana Primary School in Hoedspruit to run an immersive week-long programme, bringing conservation topics to life through interactive presentations, fun group activities, and hands-on learning experiences. Their goal? To spark a lifelong respect for wildlife and the environment in young minds, while showcasing how every individual can play a part in protecting our planet – whether as a ranger, a researcher, or simply a more conscious community member.

Day 1: A Foundation in Conservation

Report by Lily Malherbe – 14 April 2025

The day began with a presentation introducing the children to the concept of conservation. They quickly grasped the meaning and impressed us by confidently reciting:
“Conservation is the sustainable use of resources for future generations.”
The group also discussed littering and its harmful impact on the environment. Encouragingly, the children took the initiative throughout the day to pick up litter around their play area, showing a natural sense of responsibility.

They also learned about various conservation-related careers, from game rangers to wildlife guides and elephant carers. Many expressed aspirations to pursue these roles in the future.

Later, the children were introduced to food chains and food webs. They learned to identify producers, consumers, and decomposers, and were able to determine the roles of different animals within a food web using visual aids.

An interactive activity brought this concept to life: the children formed a circle, each representing a component of a food web. A hula hoop passed between them symbolised energy flow. When one child stepped out of the circle, the disruption demonstrated how removing one species affects the whole system.

The day continued with a lesson on birds. The children were introduced to bird identification, beak and claw functions, and feather types. They learned why male birds are often more colourful and enjoyed videos of bird mating dances.

Activities followed outside. First, the children folded paper into origami birds and threw them to simulate flying, highlighting the importance of feathers. They then used a bird guidebook to identify various bird species shown in photographs, enthusiastically finding each one.

Day 2: Arachnids, Insects & Metamorphosis

Report by Christa Lombard – 15 April 2025

At Jameyana Primary School, the day began with preparation: collecting sticks and searching for dead insects around the school for later use. Once the classroom was ready, the LIC team reviewed previous lessons on food chains and trophic levels, using sweets as a fun incentive to encourage participation—an approach that proved very effective.

When asked to define “diversity”, one student replied with the word “difference”—a concise and accurate response that showed strong understanding.

The focus then shifted to insects and arachnids. The team explained that both belong to the arthropod phylum, described as an “umbrella” for similar species. The following comparison was explored:

Children participated in a fun physical activity to remember insect anatomy: touching their head (head), chest (thorax), and stomach (abdomen).

Next came hunting strategies of spiders—active hunting, ambushing, and web-building. Using sticks and tape to create mock webs, the children took turns throwing pompoms (representing prey) to see if they stuck, illustrating the purpose of a spider’s web. This sparked conversations about respecting webs and their ecological importance.

The children were also taught that while some spiders can be dangerous, they generally avoid humans. Basic spider bite first aid was introduced, empowering the children with knowledge and confidence.

A slideshow explained the importance of spiders in ecosystems—controlling pests and providing food for other species. This helped shift the narrative from fear to appreciation.

The team then introduced metamorphosis, summarised with the word “change”. The activity used marshmallows (eggs), toilet paper cocoons, and fairy wings to mimic the butterfly life cycle. The children loved spinning into cocoons and emerging with “wings,” bringing the transformation to life.

Finally, the children learned about snakes and their value in ecosystems, especially for controlling rodent populations. The session covered different venom types:

• Neurotoxic – affects the nervous system
• Hemotoxic – damages blood and organs
• Cytotoxic – destroys tissue
• Myotoxic – affects muscles

To end the day, the children participated in a creative nature-rubbing activity. They placed leaves under A3 sheets with a drawing of a tree stump and used crayons to reveal vein patterns. A dustbin illustration with sticky tape encouraged litter collection and reinforced proper waste disposal.

Day 3: Big Five & Farewell

Report by Rene Walters – 16 April 2025

The final day of the programme began with the LIC team loading up materials and setting off in good spirits. Along the way, they enjoyed a mini game drive en route to the school.

Upon arrival, it was clear the children had developed a strong bond with the LIC educators. Today’s focus was a wrap-up session filled with engaging presentations and reflection.

A lesson on the Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhino) was delivered through an interactive slideshow. Children enjoyed mimicking animal sounds, especially roaring like lions using paper towel holders—creating laughter and joyful learning.

After a break with snacks, the group reconvened for a discussion on individual contributions to conservation and career opportunities. The facilitators emphasised that every career can support conservation in some way, encouraging the children to think about their own roles in the future.

To commemorate the week, each child placed their thumbprint on a poster—a symbol of their participation and a treasured memory for the team.

The day ended with lively races, dance circles, and impromptu performances. The children proudly showed the LIC team their moves, and the joy was infectious. These special moments reflected the deep connections formed and the lasting impact of the week.

Conclusion

The Lessons in Conservation week was a resounding success, blending environmental education with fun, creativity, and meaningful interaction. Through interactive lessons and hands-on activities, the children gained not only knowledge but also a passion for nature and wildlife.

HERD and the Lessons In Conservation team hope these seeds of inspiration will grow into lifelong respect for the natural world and possibly even future careers in conservation.