Finding Calm at the Cotter through Nature, Science and Art by Cristy Froehlich

Finding Calm at the Cotter through Nature, Science and Art

Working with NatureArt Lab gives me the privilege of helping students step away from their busy, tech-filled lives and rediscover the simple joy of being outdoors. Recently, I had the pleasure of facilitating another Year 9 boys group from Marist College for a four-hour nature immersion at the Cotter.

We began by spotting local wildlife — ducks cruising on the water, flashes of colour from Eastern and Crimson Rosellas, and the sleek, dark feathers of male Satin Bowerbirds. Along the way, we discussed water health, the history of Cotter Dam, and how engineers can work with nature to maintain the natural flow of water while supporting human needs.

The energy shifted during our mindfulness activity. Sitting quietly along a low foot bridge almost at water level, the boys focused on what they could see, hear, touch, and smell. It was a small pause in the big scheme of things, but it had a big impact. When we reflected afterwards, I heard words like:

“Calmer… sleepy… relaxed.”

One student shared:

“I really liked that activity. I’m usually really busy doing lots of things, but it was nice just to sit down and relax a bit. I don’t get to do that much.”

Another surprised himself:

“I’m impressed with myself — I usually think that’s boring and you can’t get me off my phone, but I relaxed and drew this!”

That “this” he proudly showed me was part of our final creative challenge: designing a logo for the Cotter. Now that they had experienced the sights, sounds, and stories of the area, they were tasked with creating an image that would make others want to visit on fine art circles with art equipment – while outdoors!. Their designs featured native wildlife, flowing water, and even tiny artistic nods to the dam’s history — each logo capturing the essence of a place they had come to appreciate.

By the end of the day, the boys weren’t just learning about the environment — they were connecting with it, creating from it, and, most importantly, discovering that taking a moment to slow down can be just as valuable as any lesson learned in a classroom.