PHOTOS ABOVE TAKEN BY MORROW, ON THE RECENT VALLA TO URUNGA BEACH WALK.
“Thanks so much for the walk today – it was a great place, I learnt some interesting and useful things and enjoyed it a lot.” – Morrow, YNC Member
What is the Young Naturalists Club?
The Young Naturalists Club (YNC) is a club for budding young nature-lovers who, with support and guidance from adult mentors, can develop their naturalist observation skills into lifelong learning. The group meets one Sunday morning per month to explore a range of local environments and engage in birdwatching, animal tracking, canoeing, snorkelling, beachcombing and other naturalist skills.
Who guides the walks?
Walks are coordinated and led by Andrew Turbill (who also works for the NSW National Parks and Wildlife). Most outings also have a special guest – including a local ecologist, botanist, marine biologist, or field tracker who provides specialist insights for the group on location. Andrew volunteers his time.
How much does it cost?
We offer two tiers of tickets: CEL Members $15, and Non-CEL Members $20. CEL Youth membership is $20 per calendar year and available here
We are offering discounted tickets for CEL Members to encourage CEL Membership – which we rely on to run our organisation. If you’re new to YNC and just want to try it out before buying a CEL membership, purchase a Non-CEL Member ticket. Otherwise, become a Youth CEL member for $20 per calendar year at here.
Andrew will have the list of paid YNC and CEL members with him at the event.
Do adults attend the walks with their child?
Yes, an accompanying adult comes on the walks with the young people who are participating. Younger siblings really shouldn’t be coming along most occasions but we understand that they will need to from time to time where family dynamics work out like that
Only book/pay for the young people aged 10-15.
How do I book?
To book, email Andrew on theagitator(AT)bigpond.com
What happened to YNC Membership?
YNC Membership didn’t seem to be working very well so we have transitioned to ticketed events. If you have already purchased YNC membership, please select that option when buying your ticket.
We aim to create the next generation of field ecologists.
Supported by adult mentors and in a unique learning environment, participants learn directly from experts about the different ecosystems while developing their passion and curiosity and self-led investigations into the natural world.
Project Supporter
A box of fresh, local fruit, nuts and other snacks are kindly supplied free of charge at each YNC outing for morning tea by our Project Supporter, Bello Food Box.
Meet Andrew…
Andrew loves sharing his knowledge of bird language, climate change science, naturalism and bushcraft skills (as well as his excellent sense of humour!) with young people and adults.
Andrew is a founding member of Bellingen EYE and the Centre for Ecological Learning, and is a regular and very popular facilitator at our camps and bushwalks. Andrew is an environmental educator and a wildlife naturalist with a professional career in conservation land management and environmental education, both as a private consultant, and with the National Parks and Wildlife Service for more than a decade.
With a strong science background (Bach Applied Science), Andrew is a leading climate change science communicator, and is regularly invited to present to a range of community, student, and professional groups, including keynote addresses at conferences and forums. Andrew is a founding member of the Mid River Group of Environmental Educators.
Nature Connection News
“Nature Connection News” is a twice-a-month newsletter about Earth-based, immersive, educational experiences that deepen our relationship with ourselves and the natural world.
It includes CEL’s latest news, research and blogs, as well as products and services that inspire and equip people with the knowledge and skills to go forth and adopt more ecologically sustainable ways of living in their personal lives and local community.
