Education Rangers and Outdoor Education Officer, Julie, have been busy inspiring young people across the North East. From school visits to Gosforth Nature Reserve to afterschool clubs, find out what they’ve been up to.
Young Visitors at Gosforth Nature Reserve
I have been working alongside volunteer education rangers at Gosforth Nature Reserve, who have been particularly busy in recent weeks with a variety of groups. We have had primary school children visiting the reserve to pond dip, minibeast hunt and bird spot. They have been observing the change in seasons, looking at the different colours and collecting natural resources, which are used to create art. They have also been fascinated by the fungi that’s been found.
It’s not just children who have been enjoying the nature reserve. Undergraduate teacher trainee students from Northumbria University have also been taking part in the activities we offer as part of our education programme. They have been learning first-hand from our education rangers how to inspire the children they will go on to teach and help develop their understanding of natural history.
Plan A for North East Nature
Another project – Plan A for North East Nature – is well underway. I am visiting schools and after school clubs, delivering nature based activity sessions to children, encouraging them to use their senses to enjoy the outdoors and the beauty of nature. Children are also taking part in minibeast hunting and scavenger hunts, gathering natural resources to use for art activities. They have been talking about ways they can help nature and their environment, finishing the session by writing their own pledge for North East nature. We have gathered hundreds of pledges so far and are feeling hopeful that the future of our North East nature is in safe hands with the children that we have in our area to look after it.
Thanks to funders, Community Foundation, Tyne & Wear and Northumberland and the National Lottery Community Fund, we are able to reach out and inspire 1000 young naturalists.