Anyone seen a hedgehog?
Bring the children out for a bit of fresh air fun!
photo credit Kat Woolley
Sticky and slicky...
...snail investigations
photo credit Emma Bradshaw
What's in the water?
Pond dipping fun
photo credit Helen Gottschalk
Learning outdoors is a great way for children to gain confidence, enjoy some fresh air, and most importantly of all, have FUN!
In July 2009 Yorkshire Wildlife Trust started a exciting new project called On the Wild Side! made possible due to receiving a grant of over £300,000 from the Big Lottery Fund, Family Learning Strand.
Since then the On the Wild Side Team have been running exciting events across the Selby district.
Loved the bird feeder session…” Julie Morris- Brownie Leader
Full time officers Steve Meays and Kat Woolley along with Volunteer assistants have been creating a wide range of activities encouraging families from across the district to come and learn all about the nature on their doorstep in a wide variety of fun, relaxing and informal ways.
Families around Selby have enjoyed strolls down by the Selby Canal to work off those Christmas dinners, as well as wildlife watching in Bishop Wood (including spooky dusk time bat walks). Steve and Kat have also been helping local residents to help their local wildlife, by creating treats for the birds in the after school sessions and surveying for small mammals.
The activities you put on look GREAT!... the On the Wild Side Team do a fantastic job.” David Lewis- Parent
They have also been testing your wildlife skills, to see how much you have picked up with quirky quizzes and tricky treasure hunts at various events.
There are regular themed events in local wildlife havens, including terrifying Halloween events, and creative Christmas and Easter events at Barlow Common and Stockbridge Technology Centre.
The families around the Selby district have also been giving the team a hand, mucking at practical workdays, cutting down unwanted scrub and trees, making the environments more fitting for the local wildlife.
If your family is interested in getting involved them give them a call or an email or check out their Facebook page.
The team defines a family as at least one adult and one child. This means that if you are a grandparent, carer or other responsible adult we would love to hear from you and help to make you a part of this worthwhile project!
We would also like to hear from any existing family or conservation groups in the area who would like to be part of the project, along with our existing partners: Selby District Council, Yorkshire Water, Selby Extended Services, Groundwork, and the Forestry Commission.
Kat and Steve will be delivering this project until its completion in July 2012
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Contact
For more information please email Steve Meays or Kat Woolley or call 01904 659570.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Photo credits: Kat Woolley
This project is funded by the Big Lottery Fund, for more information visit www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
