Today was one of those special autumn days, starting with a weak veil of mist which the sun quickly burned through to reveal the stunning scene below. Everywhere you looked the Beech and Oak trees were glowing gold, we couldn't have asked for a better backdrop to the opening day of our refurbished visitor centre at Nagshead.
Autumn colours (Photo: Lewis Thomson)
The installation of solar panels, a living sedum roof and a highly efficient wood burner at the visitor centre was made possible through European funding distributed by the Forest of Dean Local Action Group. It was fantastic to be able to celebrate the green benefits that this is bringing to the local community with representatives of the organisations that made it all possible.
Forest of Dean Local Action Group Chairman Colin Evers cuts the ribbon (Photo: Lewis Thomson)
Representatives from the Local Action Group, the Forestry Commission, the RSPB and the contractors who worked on the project (Photo: Lewis Thomson)
The visitor centre is regularly used for the RSPBs Wildlife Explorers club and school groups. The green benefits of the centre can be used not only to bring sustainable energy and comfort to the groups, but also act as a teaching tool to explain climate change and how green energy can benefit us and wildlife. Today's Wildlife Explorers group had a brilliant time making mud faces on trees, check out those smiles, quite artistic don't you think?!
The wise men of the woods! Mud faces made by children from the Gloucestershire Wildlife Explorers group (Photos: Lewis Thomson)
For more information on schools and youth activities contact our Lead Field Teacher, Jean James on 0845 6031607 or e-mail schools.nagshead@rspb.org.uk.