Schools and colleges in the North West are being encouraged to swap their indoor classroom for a new outdoor learning experience on the Forestry Commission estate at Delamere Forest Park, near Northwich in Cheshire.
The initiative has been developed by the Forestry Commission to take children and adults out of the conventional classroom setting and into the natural world to help them learn more about the environment and its significance to everyday life.
Climate change, sustainability and ecology are three of the key topics that will be covered by the programme, which works with all ages from pre-school to university students, adults and families. Programmes cover curriculum-based topics such as science and geography, as well as wider personal, social and health issues relating to the environment.
Delamere Forest Park is the only significant area of mature woodland remaining in Cheshire. Its varied landform and species, including the flooded forest of Blakemere, are ideal for all kinds of outdoor learning. The Park is within one hour’s travel by coach from most of Cheshire, Merseyside, South Manchester, Wirral, Flintshire and Wrexham.
Catherine Welsby, Education Ranger for the Forestry Commission at Delamere, says:
“We want to get more people in touch with current environmental issues, such as climate change, and we think there’s no better place to learn than in your local forest park or community woodland.
“First hand experience of the natural world is the key to generating lifelong positive attitudes towards the environment. Woodlands can offer an accessible, safe, varied and stimulating setting for learning, play and adventure for all ages and abilities.”
A range of family events are also available throughout the region to help people connect with nature in fun and imaginative ways.
All sessions at Delamere last for an hour or an hour and a half to ensure that groups have ample time to explore the forest freely. Prices include a self-guided trail.
Foundation and Key Stage 1 groups can become ‘forest explorers’ and learn about plants, animals and other living things by focussing on the use of their senses. ‘Forest explorers’ includes an activity walk, and a seed planting session. This hands-on session will enable children to describe, identify, group and compare different habitats and their inhabitants.
From spring until autumn, Key Stage 2 groups can become ‘habitat hunters’ by exploring and comparing a range of local habitats at Delamere forest, investigating the plants and animals present at different sites and using keys for identification. Using the information collected they will record results, investigate food chains and make their own keys.
Key Stage 3 and 4 groups can explore ecological relationships by undertaking a survey of the plants and invertebrates found underneath the Delamere forest canopy. They will use a range of surveying techniques to collect quantitative data. This activity will look at feeding relationships in food webs and use games and activities to investigate energy flow through food webs and pyramids of numbers.
The scheme is part of a new outdoor education and learning network across North West England which includes Grizedale and Whinlatter forests in Cumbria.
The Forestry Commission learning team will also be going out into local communities around the North West to help people in urban areas and those with limited access to woodland rediscover natural green spaces on their doorstep.
The new initiative will be rolled out to urban community woodlands around North West England as part of the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and Forestry Commission partnership programme, ‘Newlands’.
The Delamere Forest learning team recommend that all teachers carry out a pre-visit for both assisted and unassisted visits. They are happy to discuss the individual group requirements from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and at weekends by appointment and subject to availability. The team are also able to offer bespoke visits for schools.
All self-led schools visits are free, but the education team recommends that self-led parties complete a booking form so that they can contact the group in case of emergency.
To book a ranger-led visit at Delamere Forest go to http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-7cmhaq and complete the online booking form or contact Catherine Welsby (Education Ranger) on 01606-324958 or email catherine.welsby@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
For further information about the Forestry Commission in North West England, visit www.forestry.gov.uk/northwestengland
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NOTES TO EDITOR
- Images of children learning about their local woodland environment are available by calling 01524-782086.
- The Forestry Commission Education and Learning programme in England has three key messages:
The role of trees, woods and forests in mitigating the effects of climate change
Wood as a sustainable material, including wood fuel
The ecological and environmental benefits of trees, woods and forests
- Newlands is a unique £59 million NWDA-funded regeneration scheme, which is rejuvenating around 381 hectares of the Northwest’s derelict, underused and neglected land to stimulate economic growth and further opportunities for leisure and environmental improvements. Newlands, which stands for New Economic Environments via Woodlands, is a partnership scheme involving the NWDA and the Forestry Commission. www.newlandsproject.co.uk
- Community Woodlands are multi-purpose open spaces that can be easily accessed by the local community, and can include a series of small woodlands, footpaths, cycle and bridleways, football pitches, wetland habitats and a wildflower meadow. Each site is designed in partnership with the local community to help improve and enhance the economic, environmental and social value of the local neighbourhood to work towards a sustainable environment for everyone.
- The Forestry Commission is the largest provider of countryside recreation in Britain, with responsibility for more than one million hectares (2.4 million acres) of forest, woodlands and open countryside. The North West England Forest District covers the Lake District in Cumbria, the Forest of Bowland in Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Cheshire. The forests are managed for conservation, wildlife, landscape and recreation as well as providing a valuable source of timber.
- Media contacts: Catherine Welsby (Education Ranger) or Vernon Stockton (Delamere Forest Manager) on 01606-324598 or 01606-882167.