Blind and vision-impaired children visited Serendip Sanctuary during a pilot education program last week.
Hosted by park rangers, in partnership with Blind Sports and Recreation Victoria, 10 children and their families walked through the sanctuary, which is located near the You Yangs.
They listened to the sounds of the environment and touched different objects and animals, including a resident Bearded-Dragon lizard.
The youngsters also learned about the Aboriginal culture of Wadawurrung Country.
The children held possum skins, boomerangs and clapping sticks and heard explanations of how they are used by the traditional owners of the land.
The Junior Rangers pilot program has been developed to allow blind and vision-impaired children to explore nature and experience native wildlife up close.
Parks Victoria education officer Vanessa Wiggenraad said: “It was wonderful to see the kids immersed in the sounds and sensations of Serendip Sanctuary, their faces lighting up at the call of the birdlife or the clack of traditional clapping sticks.”
Blind Sports and Recreation Victoria program co-ordinator Miriam Bilander thanked Parks Victoria for hosting the event.
“The wonderful park rangers made sure this program was as tactile as possible – touching lizards, learning about various Aboriginal hunting tools, and even using speakers to play birdcalls when the real ones fell silent,” she said.
With its flat, wide paths, Serendip Sanctuary is an accessible park suitable for wheelchairs and strollers.
The Serendip education team runs wildlife tours for children and adults of all abilities. Details: www.parks.vic.gov.au/
