March 2018 saw nearly 50 Savannah Guides descend on Carnarvon Gorge for four days of professional development, environmental education and plenty of Gorge appreciation as well. Capricorn Caves, Queensland Parks and Wildlife, Australian Age of Dinosaurs, Adel's Grove, and Undara Lava Tubes sent strong contingents. Micro-businesses were also well-represented with Australian Nature Guides, Alan's Wildlife Tours, Tropical Treks, and Red Dirt Tours sending their entire staff!!
Savannah Guides are an organisation of enterprises and guides dedicated to interpreting Australian landscapes, flora, fauna, and human stories. They can be found across the top third of the country from Central Queensland to the Kimberley.
The theme for the School was 'Ways of Knowing and Interpreting Nature', with the majority of the content delivered by Simon and Michelle from Australian Nature Guides, with help from Vicki from Red Dirt Tours. Participants brushed up their geology knowledge, learned about plant morphology, and explored the different perspectives on the world afforded by visits to the Gorge's rock art sites.
To cap off the school, we celebrated Savannah Guides' 30th anniversary with an 80s theme party. Costumes were mandatory... and hilarious! Great fun was had by all.
Overall, this was a challenging, but incredibly rewarding experience, and we are already scheming our next school. Watch this space...