The importance of nature in our schools

Anne Michaelides

IMS expert in school outdoor nature trail signs and nature educational signs.

Nature Sign Design specialise in educational nature and wildlife signs for your schools nature area and outdoor classroom. We exhibited at the Education Show at the NEC in Birmingham in 2011. This proved to be very successful, and also advertising in QA Education magazine Spring/Summer 2011 had a marked effect in increasing our profile as well as our reputation as being the market leader in educational nature signs for schools.

We are professional wildlife photographers and have a huge database of images which we use when designing bespoke signs. We never have to buy images as a lot of our competitors do; this keeps our images unique and exclusive to Nature Sign Design. We also have our own in-house illustrator whose talent is evident in his imaginative illustrations particularly for our habitat signs and hand drawn maps.

Website: www.naturesigndesign.co.uk Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

One of the most important things children must learn about is the environment in which we all live. How the food chain works, how nature is a force, which works in ways we don’t know about and don’t think about as much as we should, how for every action there is a reaction.

In this day and age of computer games and the internet, children must be encouraged to appreciate our great outdoors, to learn how to cherish and enjoy it, and take care of our future generations, and how something as simple as a nature sign can spark an interest, which hopefully lasts a lifetime.

Learning about our environment is one of the most important things we can pass on to children, and the reason outdoor classrooms are springing up all over our schools.

How many people can say they can easily identify and name our most common birds? Take some time out, look around and see how many you can identify and, more importantly, how many you can’t.

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How many different species are there of insects and mini beasts, how many common species live in your area of the country, and indeed what is the difference between an insect and mini beast?!

Your school doesn’t have to be in the heart of the countryside to enjoy wildlife. Inner city schools can find somewhere for a bird identification sign. It only takes one tree with bird feeders hung on it to attract many different species.

Every year up to 2,000 schools across the country take part in the RSPB Big Schools’ Birdwatch. More than 75,000 children get involved, spotting over 83,000 birds. The project aims to encourage children to watch the birds that share their school grounds and to learn a little more about identifying and looking after them.

The Little Schools’ Birdwatch is aimed at children aged five or under, while the Really Big Schools' Birdwatch is designed for 11-14 year olds. The RSPB says the reason it has become so widespread is because it allows teachers to cover large parts of the curriculum as well as inspiring children to get involved in nature.

Learn more...

Check out Innovate My School's Outdoor / Nature Directory for a range of different nature products and services available to your school.

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