posted by Catherine on May 17
Get your Kids Involved With the Wildlife In The UK, by joining one of the National Societies!
There are so many wildlife and nature groups in the UK, that there is always a reason to take you vacation locally and teach your kids about the very place they live in. And as everyone is staying closer to home thie year - why not make the most of it and join a national society to get some great goodies and free entry for great days out!
Kids need to learn about the animals in the world - and it’s all fair and well teaching them about lions in Africa and Emu’s in South America - but what about the animals they get to see almost everyday! Shouldn’t they know about those first?
Well, below are 4 great nature clubs that the family can become a member of to get to grips with where red squirrels live and what Robins eat.
RSPB - The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.
There are over 100 RSPB reserves in the UK - and each one offers a perfect insight into local bird species as well as the mammals and invertebrates that share their habitat.
They have a Wildlife Explorers Club for the youngsters, meaning that they get magazines, information, posters and stickers as well as free entry to all the sites and member events. You can join up to 3 children from the same address for just £25 for the year - and they get a free gift depending on their age group.
The WildLife Trusts Across The UK.
There are 47 Wildlife Trusts covering the British Isles with over 2,226 reserves - most with visitor centres offering maps and advice - and all are free to enter.
However, you can actually join with your local wildlife trust rather than a national membership, and get regular updates on their reserves and their Action Diary of events. You can join the Family Watch membership group where your children can attend events and win merits for their actions - learning more all the time. You can even encourage your child’s school to join as well!
You don’t have to join just your local Trust - you could select one where you normally take a holiday - and volunteer while you are away.
The Woodland Trust.
1,000 woods covering 20,000 hectares - all completely free! You can take you family to any of these sites for a great day out, including those with restaurants, large open areas and information stations.
Kids can join the Nature Detectives Club which gives them related information about the woodland habitat and regular competitions to enjoy. There is also the opportunity to get their Teacher involved with a special membership package, where they get equipment to use in their classes.
WWT - Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust.
With only 9 sites in the UK, this is a charity that you won’t regret joining! Not only do you get to see an amazing array of both British and migratory wetland birds at close quarters - you also get to see some exotic and endangered species face to face as well!
Kids can feed the birds from their hands, follow the trails across boardwalks and through woodlands as well a pond dip for bugs and shellfish. All sites have an amazing amount of information for the family to enjoy, with large sculptures dotted around - and of course the famous nene geese that the founder saved from extinction!
Our wetland areas are also declining far too fast for some species and so joining this society will be making sure that the country has something left for your kids future!
Stay Local & Enjoy Local!
Leave a Reply