Go wild this summer!
23 July 2010
Start the summer holidays off with some fun at Derbyshire Dales National Nature Reserve (NNR), as Natural England hosts a series of events for children of all ages.
On Wednesday 28 July children can come along between 11am and 4pm to create their own 'Dale Dweller', an imaginary creature that lives in the Dales, using clay and other natural materials for free.
Older children and teenagers are invited to ‘Down the Dale at dusk’ on Friday 30 July, between 7.30pm and 10pm, for an evening walk and a range of nature-related activities, where they will get to wield bat detectors and investigate moths and mammals!
On the following morning, from 8am until 10am, (Saturday 31 July) children are invited to experience morning in the dale at ‘The morning after the night before’ event, where they will get to investigate evidence of life from the night before.
Families are invited to ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ family picnic on Monday 2 August, from 10.30am until 12.30pm. Aimed at younger children, there will be a variety of fun activities linked to Michael Rosen’s book ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’, followed by a ‘bring your own’ family picnic.
Natural England’s Community Outreach Adviser for Derbyshire Dales NNR, Paul Maddox, said: “Our reserve is home to a wide range of living things including some that are unusual or which require special protection. These events are a great opportunity to introduce young people to nature.”
Families are welcome to drop in at any point during each event and spend anything between 15 minutes and an hour exploring the area. All children must be accompanied by an adult, although Natural England staff and volunteers will be on hand to help.
For each event, meet at Over Haddon car park. There is a £2 charge per participant for activities at ‘Down the Dale at dusk’, ‘The morning after the night before’ and 'We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ family picnic. Booking is recommended for each event, please email Paul Maddox or call 0300 060 4351.
The events are part of Natural England’s Let’s Go Wild events, which will be held throughout the summer at Derbyshire Dales NNR, as it celebrates the International Year of Biodiversity. Further information on each event, including directions, is available on Natural England’s Events Finder.
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Notes to editors:
For further information, please email Charlene Kumar, Natural England Communications Adviser, or call 0300 060 2828 or 07747761210.
Let’s go Wild! are great family days out at England’s finest nature reserves.
Discover some exciting, imaginative ways to explore the great outdoors, and have fun with your family trying out new things together.
Have a look at our Events Finder for special family days around the East Midlands – including many during the school holidays - where our staff will be there to welcome you and help you make the most of your visit.
International Year of Biodiversity
2010 has been declared the International Year of Biodiversity by the United Nations – the year that celebrates the diversity of life on Earth, including every plant, animal and micro-organism. Visit the website
to find out more.
One Million Children Outdoors
In April 2009, Natural England launched its ‘One Million Children Outdoors’ programme which aims to introduce a million children to the natural world over the next three years.
About Natural England
Natural England is the government’s independent adviser on the natural environment. Established in 2006 our work is focused on enhancing England’s wildlife and landscapes and maximising the benefits they bring to the public.
