John Muir Discovery Level 1 Award

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Ralph Fitzgerald
5 years ago
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John Muir Discovery Level 1 Award The John Muir Award is about Discovering, Exploring and Conserving in this special WILD PLACE.

10 women and 3 men who are all local residents/volunteers ages from 20 to over 66 years, gained the John Muir Discovery award level 1 in June and

Each course consists of 7 full days with lunch provided over a 9 week period with the volunteers doing various activities in Hodgkin Park in

1 John Muir Discovery Level 1 Award The John Muir Award is about Discovering, Exploring and Conserving in this special WILD PLACE. After completing the award each course group organized a Sharing/Celebration Day to cascade their new found learning and skills. 10 women and 3 men who are all local residents/volunteers ages from 20 to over 66 years, gained the John Muir Discovery award level 1 in June and November This was made possible from funding by the Peoples Postcode lottery. Each course consists of 7 full days with lunch provided over a 9 week period with the volunteers doing various activities in Hodgkin Park in between. As this course was delivered it was highlighted that some of the children whose parents and other family members were attending the course would like to be involved. In response to this Green Eye who was delivering the JM award did 1

2 some family workshops after school and in school holidays where in total 18 children attended. The impact of this work varied from individuals getting involved in nature via the John Muir course, to the wider effect of them sharing their new interest and skills with family and friends, helping them connect to the environment. This links into our longer term sustainability with looking in the future for a bid to the Heritage Lottery with a new partnership made up of 2 local primary schools, a high school, friends of Hodgkin Park, Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Healthworks, New Tyne West Development and Newcastle City Council. The award is broken up into 4 categories, as follows: Discover, explore, conserve and share. Each section had an element of outdoor learning, working together and trying new skills. Each volunteer compiled their own Learning Journal as a resource to use in their new volunteering role within the park. 2

3 Group 1 in June 17 Discover The group discovered that there is a wild place on their door step. They made journey sticks as they walked through the park, finding a magic spot to sit in and take in the surrounding area. 3

4 Explore Exploring the parks woodland, pond and wildlife. The group learnt ideas and activities that they could share with others such as a mirror walk, pond dipping and natural art. 4

5 Conserve the group decided to start off their conservation with litter picks to clear the woodland area of rubbish, using the recycled rubbish to make a bug hotel then moving on to the conservation of the compound area making it more accessible and user friendly. The volunteers shared their skills and new knowledge at an event with family friends and local workers including 8 children from a gardening club at a local primary school. 5

6 Activities on the share day included a mirror walk through the park, leaf rubbing in the tipi, make a wooden owl in the secret garden, pizza making, completion of the bug hotel and planting the wild flowers 6

7 Group 2 Septemper 17 Discover The second group concentrated on the top park more than the lower park, as they felt it was more like a woodland and a little wild. They wanted to learn about the names of the trees and natural habitants each making a Journey Stick while walking through their new found surroundings. 7

8 Explore The group explored the park and learnt new activities while enjoying the outdoor spaces. They could share their new found skills with their children, other family members and friends in the park on their doorstep. They engaged in sensory activities, games as well as natural art and tree ID. This outdoor learning and experience was all quite new to the group which they embraced. 8

Concentrating their discovery in the top

the share activity idea to write positive

9 Conserve Group 2 decided to concentrate on litter, natural messages and Dog muck. Concentrating their discovery in the top park they realised there was a lot of Dog muck not being bagged up and placed in the bins provided. They wanted to make the public aware of how bad this was in the top park so using a biodegradable spray paint they highlighted the problem to make it visible. Natural messages they cut log discs for the share activity idea to write positive messages using John Muir quotes and facts about the park. They were hung in the trees and on fences for everyone to see. 9

10 Share The volunteers shared their skills and new knowledge at an event with 12 children from a local primary school some of which were the graduates children. Activities on the day included litter pick, planting plug plants, making natural messages on log discs to hang in the park, a mini beast hunt, tree ID. 10

11 Family Activity Green Ninja October 17 John Muir graduates came along with friends and family members to do the green ninja in Hodgkin Park. Firstly they made ninja colour bands out of falling leaves and natural items found in the park, then they planted acorn and chessnut seeds in secret areas of the park drawing a map to come back in the spring to see if they have worked. They planted spring flower plugs, completed a mini beast hunt and tree ID all before making pizzas for their lunch and toasting marshmallows and apples on a fire. 11

Lantern Making - October 17 All graduates were invited to

to make willow lanterns that would be used in the Festival

This event was organised by the Friends of Hodgkin Park who

other partners supported by New Tyne West the housing

12 Lantern Making - October 17 All graduates were invited to attend one of two sessions with their partners and children to make willow lanterns that would be used in the Festival of Lights Lantern Parade in Hodgkin Park. This event was organised by the Friends of Hodgkin Park who are a part of the community link up partnership with 6 other partners supported by New Tyne West the housing developer building 1800 new homes next to the park. 16 adults attended and 22 children 12

13 Trip to Dunbar November 17 13

14 Feedback from the John Muir course participants What did you enjoy about the course? I really enjoyed meeting new people and working together to improve the park The best thing about this course was getting out into the open air, learning about incredible nature Plenty to broaden my knowledge and understanding of our parks Learning about how to look after the park, facing my fears and learning some lovely natural art activies to share with others What understanding and knowledge have you gained from the course? How we must look after the enviroment as it is so important That it does not cost anything to go to the park and have fun as well as getting exercise by walking around An understanding of trees by identifying the different trees by their leaves and bark Understanding the positivity of how important it is to be amongst the nature What have you shared with anyone? Art activities Exploring the park, tree ID Knowledge of the parks history, activity ideas for groups Ideas of what to do in the park that costs nothing Nature photos I have shared all the photos I have taken of the park on social media Activities, John Muir information Quotes from John Muir with Local community (natural message discs hung up around park) Shared with? Friends and family Neighbours Children and Grandchildren Work colleagues Local volunteers at centre where I attend School children from local school 14

15 Feedback from trip to Dunbar What have you learned from the visit to Dunbar? More about who John Muir was and the journey he took in life The John Muir legacy and why what he did was so important I learnt that John Muir did not just explore this country but went around the world and made a difference A lot more about John Muir which has inspired me to find out even more Has the trip inspired you to do more in the park? Yes, to get people out and enjoy nature Yes I will be interacting with others to keep the park well looked after Yes the quotes of John Muir were particulaly inspired, giving insight into how in awe of nature John was. Definitely, I believe everyone should look after where they live and where ever they go in future The whole programme has been an inspiration to carry on and do more and connect with others in their local environment. The trip was a great way to finish the John Muir Award. Thank you A big thank you from all of us to People s Postcode lottery without this funding the course all of the activities in our local park and our visit would not have happened. I never thought when I saw the adveristment on the TV that I would benefit so much from this lottery. Cheers People s Postcode Lottery 15

Newcastle Racecourse Masterplan. 1 Introduction. Completing the vision of a redeveloped Newcastle Racecourse Welcome to our exhibition.

Newcastle Racecourse Masterplan. 1 Introduction. Completing the vision of a redeveloped Newcastle Racecourse Welcome to our exhibition. 1 Introduction Completing the vision of a redeveloped Newcastle Racecourse Welcome to our exhibition. Please take a look at our information boards and feel free to ask members of the project team any questions