After the success of its first Habitat Heroes event, Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s Communities and Nature team is inviting people aged 16 – 24 to get involved in Habitat Heroes 2, taking place in Newcastle on 8 September.
How nature can help young people
Access to nature is vital for young people. Time in nature can help young people to breathe, reflect, explore and to connect. Research led by the University of Glasgow suggests that children who spent more time in nature tended to have better mental health, with the most striking benefits coming to children from lower income backgrounds.
Outdoor learning is also good for helping to raise young people’s self-esteem, self-confidence and resilience. It is noted that “young people learn to take manageable risks, work together, solve problems, communicate and navigate unfamiliar environments. These are not just outdoor skills. They are life skills”.
Habitat Heroes 2
With their first Habitat Heroes event in June being a great success, the Communities and Nature team from Northumberland Wildlife Trust is now inviting people aged 16 – 24 to get involved in Habitat Heroes 2, taking place in Newcastle on 8 September from 4pm to 7pm.
The session will be delivered in partnership with Ouseburn-based Wild Roots Community Garden, and is a free event.
The session will highlight just how young people in urban communities can create valuable spaces for wildlife while enhancing the places where people work and live.
Nick Figgis, Urban Wildlife Community Gardener, will be leading the session and he will demonstrate a wide range of wildlife in urban areas can be support4d by human-made habitats.
Participants will be encouraged to roll up their sleeves, learn practical skills that they can take back to their own neighbourhoods get valuable hands-on experience.
Northumberland Wildlife Trust trustee and pond expert Mike Jeffries, will lead a pond-dipping exploration session, which will allow attendees the chance to discover the fascinating wildlife living beneath the surface of the water.
Northumberland Wildlife Trust have also said that “Visitors can also take part in a workshop exploring how nettles can be transformed into natural cordage for bracelets and necklaces, alongside practical activities creating habitats for insects, birds, and mammals”.
The event is part of a wider programme – the Championing Nature Project. This is a new programme aimed at r a lasting and positive impact in urban communities through greate engagement and connections with nature.
It has been made possible thanks to support from The Championships, Wimbledon and Emirates.
Tom Jepson, Northumberland Wildlife Trust Nature Connection Officer commented:
“This will be a great event for young people across the North East to meet new people and get involved in multiple workshops about the natural world, so lease come along and meet the team – we’d love to see you.”
The event is free, but booking is essential to ensure sufficient equipment is available for all participants.
To reserve a place, please see here .
For more information about the Championing Nature Project please see here .
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