What is happening in Merseyside in 2011/2012?
 Plantlife's Wild About Plants project is based at the National Wildflower Centre in Merseyside.Through the project a range of activities are on offer. These include both opportunities at the centre for school children, families and older members of the community and outreach activities and events within the community too. In 2010/2011 the Wild About Plants team worked with over 4000 children and adults in the Merseyside area. More activities are on offer in 2011/2012. Activities included family days, urban bushcraft workshops and toddle waddles. To find out more about the project please contact Kate |
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Get involved at the National Wildflower Centre
 In March 2012 free workshops will be starting again at the National Wildflower Centre. Over 2000 children have already been involved in wildflower workshops during which children explore the relationship between wildflowers and insects, take part in wildflower art and learn how to carry out a nature survey. More information about the opportunities on offer and booking information can be downloaded by clicking here. |
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Plant Some Memories
 Do you remember collecting blackberries as a child or posies of flowers for your teacher? Perhaps you know of people who collect nettles in your neighbourhood to make beer or recall running through grassy meadows on hot summer days.Throughout the last year we have been working with groups across the north and learning more about the importance of wild plants in our communities. Now as part of the Wild About Plants Parish Pioneer initiative we will be running FREE wildflower health walks starting at the National Wildflower Centre from January 2012. If you would like to bring a group to the National Wildflower Centre to take part in seasonal activities connected to wild plants such as making Christmas decorations, summer wreaths or even sugar craft, or want to sign up for wildflower health walks please contact Kate to book. |
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Children's centre and parents groups
 Our relationship with nature starts at an early age perhaps thorugh telling the time with a dandelion clock, watching a ladybird on a stinging nettle or being fascinated by a bee buzzing busily around brightly coloured flowers. This year we are offering free workshops for parents and children starting at your children's centre and exploring your local green space. Those working with families may also be interested in our Plant Some Ideas workshop, an informal two hour session for parents groups that looks at a range of natural play and craft opportunities that they could use in local natural spaces with their young children. We can accommodate group bookings for Plant Some Ideas sessions for a minimum of 10 people and maximum of 15 people. |
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Engaging nature workshops  Over the last two years we have worked with organisations around the country running workshops for teachers, youth workers and community workers to explore how they can get the most out of their local natural spaces. As one participant said 'My team have come back buzzing with ideas and cannot wait to get out and about with the parents and children they work with'. In 2011/2012 we will be running workshops from the National Wildflower Centre or your local green space.
A FREE full day workshop that looks at making the most of your local natural space. Participants will explore barriers to using their local spaces for learning outside the classroom, gain new practical ideas and learn about Bee Scene a survey and learning pack supporting children to increase their understanding of their local habitat. This FREE 2 hour workshop is designed for those working with young people aged 7-14 and explores a range of urban bushcraft ideas and games that can help you make the most from your local natural spaces. It is ideal for those working in the voluntary sector. We can accommodate group bookings for a minimum of eight people. This FREE 2 hour workshop is designed for those working with parents and young children (2-4 years old. The workshop allows participants to expand their personal natural play toolkit and all participants will get some Wild About Plants family resources to take away with them. We can accommodate group bookings for a minimum of ten people. Please contact Kate if you would like more information or would like to book a workshop. |
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Local School Partnerships
 We are again running workshops with our partnership schools in Sefton with Sefton MBC Parks and Green Spaces. THese were so successful last year that last year's schools have signed up again and three more schools have joined the partnership. |
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Have your say. Share your thoughts.
| Have you been involved with the Wild About Plants team in Merseyside? We would love to know what you have thought about your experiences. Perhaps you even have some photos you would like to share with us? Use the space below to post a comment. Please note all comments posted will need to be approved by our website editor before being published. We cannot accept any photos of children under 18 unless parental permission has been secured. |
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By gurgaon flowers, January 25, 2012 @ 5:21 am
Thank you for sharing all the details and photos of your wild plants! I especially like the plant listings w/ details on the plants. I’m striving to someday catalog and map my plants and you guys are an inspiration