Environmental Education
The Trust has been contracting Alan Bruford, a local education ranger, to take Tale Valley children on adventures to learn about their local wildlife and the environment. As one of its objectives, the Trust undertook to provide environmental education within the Tale Valley and was supported in this objective by funding from The Claude & Margaret Pike Charity, East Devon District Council, Lloyds TSB Foundation and donations from local supporters. The Education Ranger Project was launched and Alan Bruford was contracted to work in the Valley. The trial education project has proved to be such a success that the Trust is determined that it should continue. Curriculum Development Environmental and “Earth Education~’ has been developed in the valley to match the requirements of the National Curriculum for schools and other groups. The Education Ranger works with local primary and secondary schools and playgroups in the Tale Valley area, including Clyst Hydon School, Clyst Vale Community College, Feniton, Newton Poppleford, Payhembury and Plymtree Schools. In addition, teachers of children and adults with special needs find the activities very useful and a groups from Broadclyst Primary School, Kings School, Clyst Vale Community College and Two Moors School in Tiverton visit the valley regularly.
Above: a local pupil uses a “leaf slide” to investigate the colours, patterns and textures of autumn leaves. This is one activity in a range of sensory experiences on an “Earth Walk”
Weekly workshops are run for the Side by Side Group, from the Honiton Mental Health Rehabilitation Unit. Community groups, both adult clubs and societies as well as youth groups, are included in the Education Ranger’s programme. The wide variety of activities include:
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Pond dipping
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Exploring the wetlands
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Tree life cycles, seed and leaf
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identification, seed collecting and planting
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Woodland walks and exploration
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The Dormouse Project
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River walks and wildlife studies
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Farm visits and farm activities
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Building hides for wildlife watching
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Story telling, Treasure hunts and play acting
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Workshops in cob building, greenwood carpentry and willow weaving
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Learning through play - for example, life cycles and food chain
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Guided visits to other environmental centres such as the Eden Project
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Earthwalks, Concept Paths and Chain Gangs
River Tale Demonstration Site
The Demonstration Site and river walk by Clapperentale Bridge make an ideal focus for some of the activities run by the Education Ranger. The site provides opportunities for groups to learn about their river, its ecosystem and the importance of conservation
Games in a Tale Valley meadow (click to enlarge)
Tale Dormouse Project
Dormice have been spotted in the area and the Ranger has set up Dormouse Trails, supported by the Devon Small Mammals Survey.
It is part of a national survey to discover the range and numbers of dormice living in the UK. The presence of the dormouse is a good indicator of a healthy indigenous biodiversity and East Devon is an important stronghold in the national population.
Exploring the implications of this offers excellent opportunities for environmental education and activity and several schools have become involved in this project.
The 12-week programme followed by the schoolchildren involves visiting a site once a week. As they work outside in all weathers each child has to have a set of warm and weatherproof clothing. They change into their ‘Dormouse Project” outfits at school before heading off for a day in the Tale Valley - it is likely that they will get pretty dirty following a dormouse trail!
Recommended clothing for each child
- Waterproof coat
- Combat trousers
- Wellington boots
- Woolly hat
- Hooded sweatshirt
Project Progress
Dormouse trails have been established on a farm at Yellingham and at Escot, 98 boxes are now in place. Students have been studying dormouse ecology and thereby the whole ecology of the Tale Valley because dormice are such a good indicator species of indigenous biodiversity.
The children have learnt to identify the necessary flowers, berries, nuts and shelters that dormice require for a successful life.
To arrange a visit to the Tale Valley for a group of adults or children you can contact Alan Bruford
on telephone 01404 822188.
Licensed dormouse handler carefully checking the dormouse boxes to see if they are in use.
Alan Bruford helps local children explore, discover and experience the Tale Valley.
Projects:
Environmental Education
River Project is a Success
River Demonstration Site
Water Meadow Restoration