Island Life Magazine Ltd December 2009/January 2010 | Page 67

COUNTRYSIDE, WILDLIFE & FARMING

life

endangered mammals such as the red

small mammal and invertebrate surveys

also available, as are on-site interpretive

squirrel, dormouse and many species of

and the popular Marine Week events on

sessions such as pond dipping and

bat; and not a summer goes by when I

the Island’s coast. WATCH, the junior

“minibeast safaris”. Under the Access

don’t discover something in a rockpool

arm of the Wildlife Trust, has a fledgling

to Farms Scheme, Kathy has undertaken

I’ve never seen before – the diversity of

group on the Island which meets on

training to deliver educational visits to

the Island’s wildlife never ceases to amaze

one Saturday each month; a range of

local farms; and as a fully trained Forest

and inspire!”

activities is available to suit all ages with

School Leader, she is also running the Isle

In order to meet the Trust’s Mission, “To

games and activities on Trust Reserves, at

of Wight Forest Schools Project which,

conserve wildlife, restore a landscape rich

Parkhurst Forest and other wild places. A

in its first year, has enabled over 300

in biodiversity and to connect people with

new initiative, Wild Tots, offers parents

children to experience a six week outdoor

their local environment”, the Isle of Wight

and pre-school children wildlife themed

learning programme.

team offers a range of opportunities for

visits to Parkhurst Forest for stories and

people of all ages to learn more about

games.

the Island’s wildlife. From bird watching

Kathy offers School Visits to local

“I am a huge fan of Forest School. It’s
the antithesis of the games console!”
says Kathy. Forest School takes place

and botany field trips to puddle splashing

nature reserves, coastal habitats and, in

in an outdoor classroom, preferably a

and bug hunting, events are planned to

partnership with the Forestry Commission,

woodland, where young people are given

suit every age group and interest. May is

Parkhurst Forest. As well as Science

access to learning throughout the seasons

a busy month when the Trust’s staff host

based investigations, activities can be

and in all weather. “Last winter gave the

visits to all their Island Reserves during

linked to other areas of the curriculum,

children some excellent opportunities to

the Walking Festival, and Family Events

such as Language and Literacy and Art

investigate ice and snow, and Autumn is

throughout the year offer activities such

and Design. Advice and practical help on

a brilliant time to be out in the woods”.

as bat detecting, dissecting owl pellets,

improving school grounds for wildlife is

The programme combines practical skills
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