Diana Wallace and Jane Lilley will present on volunteering and learning sessions at the Centre for Wildlife Gardening and the ‘Nature in Mind ‘project.
Minutes:
The chair welcomed Diana Wallace, Community Learning and Engagement Officer and Jane Lilley, the acting Head of Learning and Engagement, and invited them to present on volunteering and learning sessions at the Centre for Wildlife Gardening, base in East Dulwich, and the London wide ‘Nature in Mind ‘project.
Wildlife gardening
Diana Wallace, Community Learning and Engagement Officer, explained there are various session held at the Centre for Wildlife gardening in East Dulwich These include schools, as well as sessions for people with learning disabilities, and older people. There are also dedicated volunteers. Wildlife gardening is particularly special as people observe nature unfolding. People with autism in particular benefit.
‘Nature in mind ‘.
Jane Lilley, the acting Head of Learning and Engagement, explained this happens in Walthamstow. The project works with people on the CAMHS green list while waiting further mental health care. There are two age groups (under and over 11). The sessions are good for life skills, using skills (practical and personal) and providing a perspective. Sessions are often not taken up by schools as wildlife is not part of the curriculum.
The chair then invited questions and the following points were made:
· A member asked how the London Wildlife Trust work with a diverse demographic? The staff explained that there are many nature reserves and there can be different barriers at each one. The London Wildlife Trust have started a paid traineeship.
· One issue can be the background of London residents and if nature has not been introduced by parents and grandparents, which can be more likely in an urban environment. This can mean that young people are less familiar with wildlife and so there is a focus on family learning. Children often go home with enthusiasm, which the Wildlife Trust hope is infectious, and it often is.
· The was a comment that green spaces are not perceived as for all. The London Wildlife Trust staff agreed and said that they reach out as stewards of this land to welcome all the community. The conduct outreach to work with mosques, the Spanish and Latin American community, and go to Children Centres. There is a lot of outreach.
· The Centre for Wildlife Garden is based in East Dulwich and was fought for by local people and now run by London Wildlife Trust as well as other sites across London, and woodlands in Southwark.
· Members asked about links with the local authority as many primary schools are still maintained. The London Wildlife Trust conduct outreach to local schools, e.g. Brunswick and family centres.
· Members asks how Southwark might have a Nature in Mind project in Southwark and the London Wildlife Trust said that the organisation would like to see them everywhere.
· There was a discussion on encouraging wildlife with its messiness and the advantages of wildlife networks. It was noted that Lambeth Council stopped spraying pesticides, and promoted interest in volunteer plants and also encouraged No Mow May, with a mown strip to indicate this is deliberate. The London Wildlife Trust staff highlighted that this has been a disastrous year for insects. Some schools do have raised beds and are encouraging wildlife areas. Children do love finding wildlife - a slug can be a delight. Over time people are coming round as there is more understanding across generations.
· The London Wildlife Centre staff were asked how they conduct education on climate change. They explained that there is some work on this topic but there is limited time, and the additional issue of being sensitive to eco anxiety. The centre offers a stand-alone lesson, and there are also nuggets of information that are weaved in rather than the apoplectic adult conversations. Children are all very aware already.