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Costa Georgiadis has announced the winner of the What’s in Your Backyard? photo competition.

Joining forces with Junior Landcare, the popular TV star asked children across Australia to grab a camera and snap photos of the flora and fauna in their backyard, and describe why it was important to them.

After receiving nearly 3,000 incredible entries from children across Australia, 7 year-old Jarrah McGauran and his stunning image of a camouflaged moth won the competition.

Ambassador for Junior Landcare, Costa was ‘overwhelmed’ by the variety of photos from children living in the city and the bush who got involved. From chickens, birds and bugs, to trees, flowers and backyard vege gardens. The photos demonstrate how every child has their own special connection with nature.

He said: “To all the girls and boys across Australia who have taken the time to look with your ears, hear with your eyes, and see with your nose I am overwhelmed by how many of you have participated.

“Not only have you shared your brilliant images but you tell the story of your connection to a bigger world of nature and environment all around. Your observations matter because they gives us inspiration and reason to be landcarers for life.”

A successful campaign to help distract cooped up kids during the COVID-19 lockdown, Junior Landcare’s ‘What’s in Your Backyard?’ campaign encouraged the next generation to get out into their gardens, onto their balconies or even look outside their window to take in the nature right on their doorstep.

The campaign aimed to help kids appreciate their environment; to understand biodiversity, where their food comes from, Indigenous perspectives and waste management.

Kids submitted photos to Junior Landcare to be in with a chance to win one of ten $250 cameras.

‘What’s in Your Backyard?’ is a campaign activity in Junior Landcare’s new Learning Centre. This online resource has 30-minute learning activities developed by education professionals to help children be aware, empowered and active in caring for their local environment. Created to be used by children at home, at school or in a youth group.

In addition to national winner Jarrah, Costa has also revealed winners for each State and Territory – and the school winner lucky enough to land a visit from popular personality.

For full list of winners and the Top 100 entries, click here.