By growing, harvesting, and eating their own food, children connect with the earth. They learn food origins, seasonality, sensory experiences, plant and human lifecycles, and composting. They discover fresh food tastes better and that effort and patience bring rewards.

Species survival depends on healthy habitats, the main extinction factor. Habitats include all school areas, from cracks to treetops. Native plants suit local soils and climates and attract native animals. To support fauna, provide food, water, shelter, nesting, safe breeding sites, and nearby habitats. Biodiversity includes plants, animals, ecosystems, and genes. Insects form 80% of Australia’s biodiversity, vital as pollinators and prey. Create a Habitat Haven in wildlife corridors or enhance school grounds.

This sensory maze offers an interactive learnscape to explore waterwise gardening through mulching, varied watering, and diverse sensory plants like herbs, native grasses, bush foods, fibre, and medicinal species. These provide textures, shapes, colors, scents, sounds, and pathway textures. Children learn via sensory and physical activities in natural settings, enhancing physical, cognitive, and emotional growth beyond indoors. Designing their own sensory maze gardens adds more learning opportunities.

A garden filled with vibrant colour is one of the greatest rewards for getting your hands dirty. The flowers and foliage display a variety of hues that change subtly throughout the day as the sun moves across the sky. Additionally, as the seasons progress, the light shifts in quality and angle, causing the colours of the garden to transform beautifully over time.