As the latest Lockdown half-term begins, we're focusing on the light at the end of the tunnel - SPRING!
Already you'll notice more birds singing across our parks and canals, and snow notwithstanding, the buds and bulbs are peeking through....
So scroll down for your links to TEN wonderful ways to connect yourselves, the children in your class, and your schools to the great outdoors.
- National Park City Rangers; now open to 14-18 year olds.
- #EcoLockdown Challenge.
- #primarynaturelive.
- City Nature Challenge.
- Free OPAL online day.
- Council for Learning Outside the Classroom masterclasses.
- GLA guidance documents on rainwater & climate change.
- Doorways to Sustainable Schools podcast.
- Save the Date: London Schools Climate Summit
- Help us reach more schools!
Let's make London a greener, healthier and wilder city for all children!
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Volunteer as a National Park City Ranger We're now accepting applications from young people aged 14 and over. Under 18s will require support by a parent or guardian – there’s a simple declaration on the online application form. LNPC Rangers play a vital role connecting communities with the green spaces around the capital. All volunteers receive full training and ongoing support. For more information about the role, the required commitment, and how to apply, visit the London National Park City website.
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Transform Our World is running a #EcoLockdown Challenge for schools over February, with resources for teachers, challenges for students and ideas for environmental action from home. The challenges are grouped into four week-long themes: Food, Farming and Forests; Fashion and Consumption; Nature, Oceans and Outdoor Learning (half-term); Travel, Pollution and Waste. You can find resources for the #EcoLockdown on the online hub... share your success on social media using the hashtag.
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#primarynaturelive Still time to catch the free Field Studies Council online sessions, run by experienced FSC tutors from across the UK. Each session features activities children can do in their gardens or local green space, focusing on geography and science to help them keep connected to nature. Sessions are broadcast on Youtube and come with a related set of resources including worksheets and ‘how-to’ guides.
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City Nature Challenge A virtual challenge taking place in hundreds of cities across the world. To take part, visit iNaturalist.org, download the app (from the AppStore or Google Play) and share your observations. You’ll get feedback from scientists, experts, and other naturalists. The challenge takes place over two weeks: 30 April – 3 May 'Taking pictures of wild plants and animals' and 4 – 9 May 'Identifying what was found'. The London challenge is co-ordinated by the National History Museum.
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Free OPAL Online Open Day for primary schools, with expert advice from school leaders on how outdoor play and learning can transform your school’s culture, improve behaviour, connect children to nature and, most importantly, make them happier.
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CLOtC masterclasses Council for Learning Outside the Classroom is releasing a fantastic set of webinars over the next months to give you some practical skills to enrich your outdoor learning offer. Brush up your knowledge and network with like-minded people – featured sessions include taking field trips to farms; using outdoor learning for arts and creativity; and maximising your school grounds for outdoor learning. The masterclasses are free for members (and it's a very good membership) and just £5 for everyone else.
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Reimagining Rainwater in Schools Two key guidance documents have been issued by the GLA in the last months, the first on how to incorporate sustainable drainage to manage rainwater in school grounds. Sustainable Drainage Systems, or SuDS, are widely accepted as a better approach to managing rainfall compared to traditional drainage. They create interesting places to learn, beautiful spaces and places for people and wildlife, as well as reduce the risk of waterlogging, local flooding and water pollution.
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How London schools and early settings can adapt to climate change Accessible and comprehensive information to support climate resilience initiatives in schools and Early Years settings. In the context of the impacts from Covid-19 and recovery, this guidance is an important piece of work which highlights the need for green policies to build stronger communities and more resilient critical infrastructure that can prepare for, recover from and adapt both to an extreme weather event as well as other events such as a pandemic. Aimed at the whole school community and Early Years setting.
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Doorways to Sustainable Schools Podcast The latest episode features some of the inspirational people helping to put together this year's Schools Climate Summit. Enjoy an auditory ramble through subjects close to every teacher and educators' heart, from a teacher's perspective of school during Covid; to the life lessons we can learn from insects; or why we really need a schools climate summit for London. Expect more in the lead up to the summit this summer (see Save the Date, below).
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Save the Date: Schools Climate Summit We’re delighted to hear the Schools Climate Summit will be going ahead on 29 June this year, during London Climate Action Week which is between Saturday 26 June - Sunday 4 July, 2021. In this most critical years for climate action, with COP26 on the horizon, we really want all London National Park City schools to be involved. More to follow in the next newsletter. Learn more about the schools summit and London Climate Action Week on the London Sustainable Schools site.
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Help us spread the word...
We're aiming to get every school in London to take part in the National Park City Festival 2020. Please forward this newsletter to colleagues and help us build the network...
- If you've been forwarded this email and you like what you see, you can join the network here.
- If you've got a story to share, email us at info@outdoorpeople.org.uk
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