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26 January 2012
South Derbyshire District Council’s Environmental Education Team, based at Rosliston Forestry Centre, offers a wide array of activities, guides and visits to showcase the wonders of nature.
Its crowning glory has come after being commissioned by the Woodland Trust to write the education programme and on-line resources for the Jubilee Woods Project, which will see six million trees planted in the UK.
The team has put together a series of fun pursuits for schools and community groups from Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England to enjoy when planting the roots for a greener future. All fit around specially developed themes of royalty, forest life and trees.
Environmental Development Manager Kate Allies said: “The Jubilee celebrations promise to live long in the memory and we are delighted to have been given this wonderful opportunity to create a lasting legacy.
“We have had a lot of fun putting together these activities and trying them out with our own staff. We hope pupils across the country will enjoy them and also learn something about history, science, geography and art whilst exploring new woodlands and planting trees to celebrate The Queen’s Jubilee.
“The programme builds on our years of experience working in this field in South Derbyshire and The National Forest. The District crest and motto ‘The Earth our Wealth’, for instance, fits perfectly with a session investigating what is a coat of arms, helping the young people create new designs based on the woodlands they will plant.”
Sophie Churchill, Chief Executive of the National Forest Company, said: “The education programmes run at Rosliston Forestry Centre are very professional and popular – we’re delighted that the Woodland Trust is using our partners in the Forest to design what sounds to be a unique and fitting national programme for woodlands and for The Queen’s Jubilee.”
Jane Craven, People Engagement Officer for the Woodland Trust, said: “The activities that the Environmental Education Team have produced link together tree planting and the Jubilee, inspiring children about the value of trees and woods. Trained environmental educators will run these activities on the sites where Diamond Woods will be planted.
“However, every school will get the opportunity to be inspired by this project as the team also produced KS2 and KS3 resources that are available for all schools to download for free from the Woodland Trust website. These resources will be promoted to all schools by a Jubilee schools poster from the Woodland Trust celebrating tree planting over the last 60 years.
“The project, one of the most ambitious the Trust has ever undertaken, will see six million trees planted across the UK involving millions of adults and children. Free tree packs are available for schools and youth groups so they can get involved in celebrating The Queen’s Jubilee with trees.”
Schools across the country can view the online resources from the end of January and apply for 60 free trees to create their own Jubilee Woods. Visit www.jubileewoods.org.uk for more details.
