The Blog @ Shropshire Wildlife Trust

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.

It’s taken a while to find the words to write this post. We’ve been trained in delivering a concept that lets you experience the natural world around you and really bond with it. Imagine a lesson where the plan is to lie under a tree in the sunshine and just shut your eyes. Or how about letting your class into a secret? You’ve been to the end of the rainbow and brought back the treasure to share…

An Earthwalk gives you the space and time to enjoy nature by getting up close; sniffing, scratching, listening and speaking with a French accent -this last one is optional!

You might not have heard of Earthwalks before; and you may be forgiven in thinking “hippy nonsense- what’s the point?” But since training with Jon Cree from Bishop’s Wood in Worcestershire, we can honestly say our understanding of Earth Education and environmental education has changed.

The very first Earthwalk we led since the training course had 30 children lying on the woodland floor in the school grounds, telling me their school building was an enchanted castle over a vast green ocean.

One child with learning difficulties told me he could hear a sound that came from “inside a cloud”.

We all (teachers included) also spent some time with coloured sponges soaked in “Magic Smell Improver” rubbing them on our noses and inhaling smells of tree bark, soil and frozen leaves.

Comments at the end of the walk included “wow”, “magical” and “really different”- some pupils were so caught up in their own worlds sitting in their Magic Spots, that they didn’t realise the session was over.

Again, thanks must go to Jon Cree for his patience and creativity in training us to lead Earthwalks in Shropshire- oh, and for his marvellous French accent!

If you are inspired to take part in an Earthwalk, or simply want to know why French accents are important in their delivery, then please contact us or leave a comment below. Earthwalks are most effective for children aged 7 years and older, but are great fun for adults too - we can come into your school and help you set up your own.

A long, long time ago, when magic was still in the air, a group of intrepid teachers set out on a journey that would take them to places they had only ever dreamed of. The leader of their brave group wore a feathered hat and looked splendid in his bright red trousers- everyone called him Jon Cree.
Now Jon Cree was a legend in his own right- many tales had been told about his magical kingdom, Bishop’s Wood in deepest, darkest Worcestershire.

Jon of the feathered hat could weave a tale so splendid, that all who listened were captivated- held and transported to wherever he chose to take them.

As Jon wove his tales, strange things started to happen to the teachers. They started talking to their hands and feet, then laughing with delight, they began tales of their own creation- giant purple worms and monsters with lawnmowers.

Entranced, they followed their red-trousered friend out into the woods. Now, everyone knows that teachers never tell lies; but Jon Cree waved his magic hat and lies, lies, lies came out of their honest mouths! Sticks became bat wings, leaves now fairy blankets and rabbit poo became hard cash. What are we to think now?

Kennings and Haiku, sagas of fish, many biscuits and tall tales later, the band of merry travellers found their way in the dark back home. “What an adventure!” they cried, clutching a jammy dodger and a cup of tea. What are our promises to each other after this storytelling day?

To read more, to play more and to enjoy the sound of words, to use the world around to shape our stories and verse. (that almost scanned).

Thanks Jon, for a magical day- and thanks too, to all you intrepid storytellers who braved the cold to come out to Wood Lane. See some of you on Thursday for another Jon Cree adventure, Leading Earthwalks.

If you would like to know more about training courses run by Shropshire Willdife Trust, please check the “Training Courses” or “News and Events” categories. We’ll keep you informed of relevant courses coming up, as well as giving you a chance to feedback on training you’ve received.