The Blog @ Shropshire Wildlife Trust

We’ve just finished a brand new project in partnership with the Shropshire Hills AONB (Blue Remembered Hills), it’s called “Where Wild Schools Go” and is a guide for teachers, giving the best information on local nature reserves, green spaces and wildlife in South Shropshire.

It’s been compiled by teachers, parents and wildlife experts, all with one aim in mind, getting young people out exploring our local countryside.

It will be sent out to schools on CD to save resources, and will be updated regularly with new sites, species and activities.

Here’s a resource that gives you a local perspective on the vast subject of geology and earth science. Shropshire Rocks was created by our very own Liz Etheridge, a very inspiring geologist who has a knack of explaining the most complicated ideas in a straightforward, engaging way.

We suggest you use this site in a number of ways. The best way is to sit down with a cup of tea and just enjoy exploring and reading about Shropshire’s geology, starting with Planet Earth, A Beginner’s Guide.

We hope that you may find it useful in planning some lessons - it could be a useful starting point in finding the rock type in your area and how this affects the soil, plants and wildlife.

It’s a really nice looking website; use the animated time slider at the top of each page to find out what was happening in Shropshire many millions of years ago, we think you’ll be surprised.

A lovely part of the site is the “What’s My Rock” section. Find yourself a pet rock and find out its real name by following a simple, animated key.

Liz is sadly no longer working for us at SWT, but is still very much a part of the team- even from her new base in Norfolk! If you have any questions about the geology of Shropshire, please email them to the education team sarab(at)shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk, and we’ll pass them on to Liz for a definitive answer!

Here’s another event you can get involved with at half term.

National Nest Box Week is an annual event, designed to get you and your garden birds ready for spring.

Come along to Shropshire Wildlife Trust’s HQ at Abbey Foregate in Shrewsbury, on Wednesday 13th February for workshops at 10.30am and 11.30am, and make your own nest box.

Booking is essential (as we don’t have hundreds of boxes), but you are more than welcome to come along at any time between 10am and 4.30pm and meet Wildlife Trust staff, plus the famous sparrows in our wildlife garden!

We’ve found some interesting resources, free to download -Click here for a free information pack from the British Trust for Ornithology

If you would like to make a bird box, it will cost just £5 for the whole family, and we’ll give you all the advice you’ll

need on putting it up, watching birds and maintaining your nest boxes all year round.

If you would like any more information, please call Kate in reception, on 01743 284280,

or Sara (Education) on 01743 284284.

We’re looking forward to seeing you there!

On Friday 15th February, Shropshire Wildlife Trust will be throwing open their garden gates at Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury and inviting you into a “miniature world”.

Between 10am and 4pm, you can take part in workshops designed to help you identify and celebrate the minibeasts in your back garden.

The event is suitable for all ages, and we of course welcome teachers who’d like to learn more about the wildlife in their school grounds

There will be a chance to go on a bug hunt with an expert, look at monsters under the microscope and even create your very own little creature from clay. Ask our wildlife experts about gardening for insects and learn about Charles Darwin’s encounters with strange creatures, as well as hearing about some strange creatures right here in Shropshire!

Entrance on the day is free- but there may be a small charge for some of the activities, plus a chance to stock up on bug friendly items in our wildlife shop.

This event is being run as part of the Darwin Festival celebrations, 2008: an annual celebration of the life and works of the great scientist, who spent his formative years exploring the wildlife of Shropshire.

We want to find and encourage a new generation of inspired and hopefully inspirational naturalists, which is why this event is taking place. So if you know of a young wildlife enthusiast in your class or at home, please make sure you let them know, and bring them along this half term.

Booking is essential for the workshops and bug hunt- please call Kate on 01743 284280.

If you’d like more information about the life and works of Charles Darwin and plans for the Darwin 200 festival in 2009, please click here.

The photo is a real monster, called a Lunar Hornet Moth, found in my back garden in Shrewsbury!

An amazing opportunity has arisen for anyone wanting to become a Forest School Leader. Warwickshire Wildlife Trust have places on their 5 day, level three training courses held at Brandon Marsh, just outside Coventry.

They are accredited through Evesham College and are a BTEC qualification, allowing successful participants to set up and run their own Forest Schools.

The best bit? They are only charging £100 for the course! WWT have received Lottery funding for this training project, allowing them to save you money, while still providing a high quality qualification.

If you would like to book a place, or would like to know more about Forest School training in the West Midlands (including Shropshire) then please call Sarah Klaes on 024 76302912, or Sara Bellis 01743 284284.

STOP PRESS….There are still spaces on a level three course starting next Monday (21st Jan) - call 0247 6302912 to book your place.