On Saturday, 31st August, the Sherwood Forest Trust hosted an exciting event with the Forest Education Network (FEN) East Midlands and Feel Good Gardens in Clipstone. With talks on bats, butterflies, and trees, the event provided a range of engaging activities for educators, parents, and children, focusing on outdoor learning and environmental education.
The day began with a session led by Izzy Pass, Community Tree Nursery Officer, which focused on growing trees from seeds and berries. She talked about tree propagation and shared valuable tips on caring for young trees, emphasizing the importance of preserving native species to support local biodiversity. This was followed by tree-coin decorating, where everyone could paint their favourite bugs and butterflies on a wooden discs.
In the next session, Katie Doull, Community Volunteer Co-ordinator, shared a fascinating insight into UK bats, their lifecycle, and the methods used to identify and record them. Attendees got hands-on experience with bat detectors and explored creative ways to incorporate bat-themed activities into Forest School programs. Everyone had a chance to make their own bats from pinecones in the seedbank polytunnel.
Following a break with drinks and bat cupcakes, Lynn Preece, Community Woodland Creation Officer, introduced everyone to the world of UK butterflies. The session included discussions on where and when to spot butterflies and how to participate in the Big Butterfly Count. Attendees also enjoyed a practical activity creating “Hapa Zome” butterfly art using natural pigments from plants, which involves hammering plants onto textile to release their natural dyes, which makes for some beautiful art!
Lynn Preece said “We all know that connecting with nature is good for us and the more people feel a close connection, the more we will want to protect our local wildlife. This is especially true for children and young people who are our future. Hopefully today we have played a part in helping to inspiring future generations to spend more time outdoors and get hands on with conservation work.”
Everyone had a chance to explore the Feel Good Gardens, network, and relax in the beautiful woodland setting. It was a fantastic day of learning, connecting with nature, and gaining valuable insights into local wildlife and conservation efforts.
