Spending time in nature delivers immense benefits to young people. According to the latest Children’s People and Nature Survey for England, 87% of children and young people state that being in nature makes them very happy. For sustainable homebuilders Stonebond, this awareness was at the heart of a wildlife day held recently with local primary school children and ecologist Mike Dilger at its Wintringham development in St Neots.
The wildlife day took place on Monday 16th October, with 17 students and three staff from Wintringham Primary Academy taking part. The day before, television presenter Mike, who is the wildlife reporter for the BBC’s The One Show, placed traps around the Wintringham development. On the Monday morning, the children were armed with collection jars, butterfly nets and magnifying glasses. They investigated the moth and mammal traps and discussed their findings with Mike, before going on a bug hunt. All wildlife discovered was released at the end of the session. Mike then headed back to Wintringham Primary Academy to do a presentation to the whole school.
Annette Cole, Sales & Marketing Director at Stonebond, commented: “Creating communities with open green spaces and features that promote biodiversity is a key part of building homes sustainably. We were delighted that Mike could spend the day at Wintringham and share the joy of discovering local nature with the children and staff of the academy. Wintringham is providing a range of contemporary new homes surrounded by woodland, hedgerows and grassland, with all the associated benefits. It was great to take some time to see the impact of that on our youngest community members and to see them so enthused about their local natural environment.”
Ecologist Mike Dilger commented: “Children love the sense of discovery and wonder that spending time in nature provides. Early years outdoor experiences build a firm foundation for respecting and understanding the importance of the natural world. It was a real joy to share in building that understanding with the young people of St Neots.”
Tracy Bryden, Executive Headteacher at Wintringham Primary Academy, commented: “With a playing field, a wetland area and a grove in the centre of the school, children at Wintringham Primary Academy have the chance to connect with nature in different ways and in different environments, encouraging independent learning and creative thinking. Having the opportunity to discover local nature with Mike Dilger and Stonebond has been an exciting opportunity for the children to further their learning, in line with our ethos of nurturing and inspiring young people to enable them to flourish.”
