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Celebrating a year of forest school at the Quinta

Wild cookery

A successful year was celebrated by Cheshire Wildlife Trust, last week, at its Quinta Nature Reserve. A special ‘WildPlay in the Forest’ event was held to mark a season’s use of its new Forest School site near Holmes Chapel.

The event brought together families from across east Cheshire to take part in a number of free activities including den building, wild art, learning about fires as well as exploring the woodland and its wild creatures.

The project received funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund which has been used to improve the accessibility and learning resources at the reserve. This has enabled a wide range of nature study activities to take place from exploring the reserve’s ancient woodland through to sweep netting in the wildflower rich meadows to discover mini-beasts.

wild art

wild art

Pathways were improved and steps were added as well as an all-weather outdoor classroom and a stream dipping platform. The events have proved popular this year with around 600 children taking part in outdoor education sessions at the Quinta Nature Reserve.

“We had a great morning of activities which demonstrated to families how they can get outside to learn about their surroundings and have some fun too,” said Nick Rowles, People and Wildlife Officer at Cheshire Wildlife Trust. “The improvements to the site have enabled us to run a whole host of sessions from this site for children from across Cheshire East and their families. I love demonstrating to teachers and parents the importance of learning outside and the variety of activities that can be achieved – it is fantastic to broaden people’s minds and to see the children’s reactions.”

bog art

bog art

The Quinta Nature Reserve has a range of habitats, including a plantation woodland, ancient woodland, two meadows and a stream. Cheshire Wildlife Trust have managed the plantation to encourage woodland regeneration and improve species diversity especially butterflies and wildflowers.

Cheshire Wildlife Trust are holding a Family Forest School at Quinta Nature Reserve on 25th November. The reserve is also open to the public throughout the year and makes a great place for an autumn/winter walk for all the family.

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