Pupils and students celebrate wildlife exploration
30 August 2012
Pupils at the BioBlitz Awards
Dr Graham Rowe & Councillor Sara Bolton
WildDerby's Beverley Rhodes
An award ceremony celebrating Derby's annual BioBlitz supported by University of Derby students was held at the University recently.
The Schools BioBlitz event took place at four city parks throughout Derby in May; it was attended by almost 900 pupils from 15 local primary schools and made possible by Derby City Council, WildDerby project and its partners including the University.
Each of the pupils who attended this year's Schools BioBlitz had a great wildlife experience, searching for creatures, discovering habitats and learning about biodiversity. The pupils used their skills to record findings through photographs, drawings, words and leaves. They were encouraged to understand and enjoy Alvaston, Chaddesden, Sinfin Moor and Derby Arboretum Park's wildlife and enter a wall art competition using their findings.
An awards ceremony was held at the University of Derby and attended by Councillor Sara Bolton and the University's Dr Graham Rowe who presented prizes to the winners of the wall art competition. Pupils from the seven winning schools received a certificate and a £50 gift voucher. Meadow Farm Community Primary School received a special commendation certificate for their outstanding effort and project work.
Beverley Rhodes of WildDerby brought along her menagerie to the awards which included; two barn owls, a rabbit, guinea pig, hen, quail, chicks, duckling and a stick insect! The pupils sat in a circle on the floor and were able to hold the animals. Beverley gave a talk about the environments the animals live in and which were predators and which were prey. Thankfully the predatory animals had already been fed!
This year's Schools BioBlitz event was supported by University students working on the WildVolunteering project who received their training from Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and WildDerby as part of the WildScience work experience project. Students with an interest in education and wildlife using science and play are working on the project to assist schools deliver wildlife education and get pupils involved in biodiversity.
University students who attended the event worked with groups including; Alvaston Park Friends, Friends of Chaddesden Park, Friends of Sinfin Moor Park Local Nature Reserve, b-active, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and Groundwork Derby & Derbyshire. The event was funded by OPAL (The Open Air Laboratories network), Chaddesden Neighbourhood Fund, University of Derby and WildDerby.
The winning schools:
• Ash Croft Primary School
• Cavendish Close Junior School
• Cherry Tree Hill Primary School
• Dale Community Primary School
• Derwent Community School
• Meadow Farm Community Primary School - Special Commendation
• Redwood Primary School
Beverley Rhodes of WildDerby said: "It was obvious from the standard of entries submitted that the pupils thoroughly enjoyed their two days of wildlife exploration".
Next year the Schools BioBlitz will become part of WildScience and schools are encouraged to book from January 2013. Each school will be able to choose a park and date and students from the University will help to deliver the programme.
For more information about this University of Derby Community Relations news story contact Jason Nichols on 01332 592844 or email j.nichols@derby.ac.uk
