What’s new?
8 February 2008
Time travel with the Wildlife Trust
Education project at Cambridgeshire reserve is launched
The Wildlife Trust is giving local children a taste of time travel at Paxton Pits Local Nature Reserve near Huntingdon thanks to almost £50,000 of funding for the 'Wild Journeys through Time' project
The Wildlife Trust is offering local schoolchildren the opportunity to learn about the journeys made by wildlife and people through the ages thanks to £49,700 of funding from Natural England through Defra’s Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund, and support from Huntingdonshire District Council and local voluntary group The Friends of Paxton Pits.
The project transforms children into time travellers and takes them on historical adventures to discover about the site in the past, present and future. The exciting time travel trips are being led by the new Paxton Pits education officer, Jane Lambourne, who the Wildlife Trust was able to employ as a result of the ALSF funding.
Local schools are being invited to take part and open up this fascinating story to children of all ages. One journey involves looking at bird migration and Saxon settlers, while another examines wildlife habitats through time. Some journeys may even include hearing about the history of the site ‘straight from the dinosaur’s mouth’, thanks to a life-size, talking model of an ichthyosaur made by local artist Louisa Bennett.
The funding has also allowed the Wildlife Trust and The Friends of Paxton Pits to start up two educational groups for local children. These groups are being led by parents and grandparents who are keen for local children to get an early start in learning about the natural environment and its wildlife. The groups meet at weekends, with children undertaking a wide variety of wild activities, such as birdwatching, pond dipping and minibeast hunting.
Diana Curtis of Natural England said: "As a result of extensive quarrying over many years and subsequent ongoing restoration plans, Paxton Pits Local Nature Reserve now provides not only a haven for wildlife, but also a valuable resource for enjoyment and learning about the natural environment for local communities. We are pleased to be able to support it.’
Anyone interested in finding out more about the education groups should contact Debbie McKenzie, Grafham Education Centre manager, on 01480 811075 or debbie.mckenzie (at) wildlifebcnp.org.