I'd like to suggest starting a Wildlife Awareness Programme where we visit our local schools to talk with the Head teacher to see if the school would allow a short presentation on what the kids could do to help the animals and birds and flora in their surroundings.
I've done it here in the rural area where I live in Colombia and the kids loved it. It has to start with the kids to get them interested. If the presentation is done right, it only has to be about 30 - 45 minutes long, the kids will love it and this in turn is transmitted to their parents, who will hopefully encourage a more active participation and usually the parents join in as well.
What I did afterwards was to carry out follow-up, giving the kids little projects to perform and them when all were completed they gave a presentation on what they achieved and discovered. It's great!
Let's face it, if they are interested when they're young this will stay with them all their lives and the schools I think would welcome this taking into account the state the world is in at the moment.
I have asked one of my brothers to do the same back home in our community in Scotland and I have sent him some pointers and tips for a successful presentation.
I hope we can do something to raise the awareness of the kids because in this day of computer technology and video games it would be good to get across the message that our environment needs all the help it can get.
I look forward to hearing from you all and get your opinions and feedback.
Have a nice day
Andy
Fly high and free.
Hi Andy
I got your message on my personal page thanks, and you are absolutely right about encouraging kids, my two boys have developed a real fascination with nature with little encouragement from me and this makes getting out and about as a family more fun. One of the nearby Junior school has made a large wildlife garden and actively encorages kid to learn about nature but the more doing this the better.
Shane
Regards Shane
My Photos in Flickr.
Its a brilliant idea Andy which has been adopted in a lot of our local schools. Our local WWT has guide accompanied children groups where they are given spotting charts which cover flowers insects and birds. A little bit of competion evolves but the kids love it and whats more they are out in the fresh air excercising.
Of all creatures, man is the most detestable, he is the only creature that inflicts pain for sport, knowing it to be pain. ~ Mark Twain
Shane said: Hi Andy I got your message on my personal page thanks, and you are absolutely right about encouraging kids, my two boys have developed a real fascination with nature with little encouragement from me and this makes getting out and about as a family more fun. One of the nearby Junior school has made a large wildlife garden and actively encorages kid to learn about nature but the more doing this the better. Shane
Hi Shane. That's great! I had no idea that you have these programmes, it just goes to show you that I've been away for far too long and lost touch with what's going on back home.
Do all the schools do this or is a just some of them?
Take care
Hi Judi,
Like I said to Shane, I had no idea, but it's great news to me. The sooner I get home the better. I'm happy that some schools have this type of programme, but do the parents take an active role as well? What about local councillors and local businesses?
Thanks
My boys secondary school does not have anything but it seems more popular in Infant and Junior schools but I would not know about other schools around the country.
Hi Andy,
It is a very good idea. It seems some primary schools already include Nature Study as part of the curriculum, although this is mostly down to the headteacher or Local Authority policy.
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
The RSPB runs a Bird Friendly Schools programme where a volunteer visits a school on several occassions to talk to the kids about birds and do a few activities :-) I'm already a volunteer for this (in my 3rd year now) and it is fantastic!
Millie & Fly the Border Collies
The beauty about the RSPB programme (and well done KatTai) is that it is designed to fit into curriculum subjects and therefore will be welcomed by the school. The RSPB campaign to get children taught out of the classroom is also excellent.
The Cotswold Water park sightings website
My Flicker page
Thanks for your reply Kat Tai. Could you tell me more about it, please?
Best regards
Hi Bob, thanks for the info. Is this implemented in all schools nationwide?