New scheme to help children experience London’s woodlands
12 February 2010
A new initiative starts this Sunday 14 February to encourage children to explore and learn more about London’s fantastic array of trees and woodlands.
Forest School is an inspirational process that offers children, young people and adults, regular opportunities to achieve, and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands on learning experiences in a local woodland environment.
Research has shown that children are spending less time playing in open natural places, such as woodlands than they did in previous generations. Less than 10% play in such places compared to 40% of adults when they were young. This has led to a new condition phrased ‘nature deficit disorder’ where children’s ability to connect to nature is poor and ultimately leads to behavioural problems.
To help reverse this trend, Natural England has teamed up with the Forest Education Initiative (FEI) to promote Forest School to teachers and communities across London. This will include a number of taster sessions for teachers, which will be running through February and March. Information packs and advice on creating and using woodland settings in school grounds will also be offered.
Alison Barnes, Natural England’s London Director, said: "There is growing evidence that regular contact with nature improves people’s health and wellbeing. We hope that as a result of these sessions teachers and other practitioners will be inspired to introduce woodland education into their activities either on an occasional basis or as a fully accredited Forest School."
Susannah Podmore, Forest Education Initiative, said: "Interest in Forest School throughout England is gaining momentum at a rapid rate. The taster days are a great opportunity for teachers and practitioners in London to discover the wealth of resources and expertise that already exist, to help them use woodlands for learning and start on their own journey of outdoor education. Thousands of teachers have already undertaken the Forest School training, and now support children and adults learning in a safe natural environment.”
What’s happening and when
Taster sessions for teachers
23 Feb Camden
09 March Hammersmith and Fulham
10 March Barnet
16 March Barking and Dagenham
17 March Hounslow
19 March Tower Hamlets
23 March Wandsworth
24 March Kensington and Chelsea
Community Events
Forest School activities such as bush craft workshops will be promoted at the below events:
Feb 14th Sun – Higham Hill Recreation Ground, Walthamstow
Feb 18th Thurs - Burgess Park, Southwark: Young Friends of Burgess Park
April 10th Sat - Wormwood Scrubs, Ealing: Family Fun day
June 6th Sun - Regents Park, Camden: Camden Green Fair
For more information about Forest School or to attend any of the above sessions please email activelondon@naturalengland.org.uk
Notes for editors
For more information, photographs or to arrange interviews, please contact:
Adam Elwell (Natural England Press Officer), Telephone: 0300 060 0965 or 07814501780
Nigel Ellway (Natural England Press Officer), Telephone: 0300 060 1372 or 07900 608204
Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.
Forest Education Initiative (FEI) aims to increase the understanding and appreciation, particularly among young people, of the environmental, social, and economic potential of trees, woodlands and forests and of the link between the tree and everyday wood products. visit their website
for resources and further information about local groups and Forest School.
