Family Wildlife Explorer Days - Aqualate Mere NNR
26 July 2010
Are your kids fed up during the summer holidays? Why not bring them along for an exciting series of mornings exploring the wildlife of Aqualate Mere National Nature Reserve?
Natural England is hosting the summer holiday ‘Family Wildlife Explorer Days’ from 11am to 2pm on Thursdays 5, 12, 19, 26 August. The events are aimed at children aged 5 or more, and will be based at the Aqualate Mere NNR Base near Newport and will be led by Natural England’s Community Outreach Adviser Caroline Dahn and Caroline Allen from the Earth Life Company.
For further information and to book a place on these free activity days please ring Caroline Dahn on 0300 060 0583 or e-mail caroline.dahn@naturalengland.org.uk
On Thursday 5 August the morning will be ‘All About Birds’. Children will make their own bird identification key and then head out onto the reserve to see what birds they can spot with them. They will each make a bird feeder and a bird box to take home.
On Thursday 12 August, on the ‘Mini Beast Safari’, children will put their detective skills to the test and explore the plants and animals on the reserve. They can have good fun pond dipping and sweeping insects off the bushes and sucking them up into ‘pooter’ pots and bug viewers. They will each make their own bug viewer and a model of their favourite bug to take home.
On Thursday 19 August on the ‘ Natures Art ’ day we will be joined by Caroline Allen from the Earth Life Company. Children will create their own natural masterpieces using clay to make a tree spirit or woodland creature and use natural materials to create their own mobiles. They will also have to opportunity to make charcoal.
On Thursday 26 August children are invited to join us on a ‘Woodland Adventure’ with Caroline Allen from the Earth Life Comapny‘. Activities will include den building, woodland games and children will be able to cook their own lunch over an open fire.
Community Outreach Adviser Caroline Dahn said, “These events are a fantastic opportunity for children to explore parts of the reserve which are otherwise out of bounds, get creative and see and handle wildlife for themselves”.
The events are open to all ages of children. Youngsters under eight years old must be accompanied by an adult. Parents of older children are welcome to stay and join in. With the exception of the Woodland Adventure day children should bring a pack lunch.
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Notes for editors
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.
- We establish and care for England’s main wildlife and geological sites, ensuring that over 4,000 National Nature Reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest are looked after and improved.
- We work to ensure that England’s landscapes are effectively protected, designating England’s National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Marine Conservation Zones, and advising widely on their conservation.
- We run Environmental Stewardship and other green farming schemes that deliver over £400 million a year to farmers and landowners, enabling them to enhance the natural environment across two thirds of England’s farmland.
- We fund, manage, and provide scientific expertise for hundreds of conservation projects each year, improving the prospects for thousands of England’s species and habitats.
- We promote access to the wider countryside, helping establish National Trails and coastal trails and ensuring that the public can enjoy and benefit from them.
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