#440: CUPA blog

A post on the Cambridge University Press and Assessment blog by Jack Cutforth explores the promise of the new GCSE Natural History.

The GCSE in Natural History is intended to give all students – wherever they live – the time, skills, and knowledge to appreciate nature, as well as develop important practical skills in data analysis and observation. It is designed so it can be delivered as effectively in city centres as it can in the countryside. Students will develop a rigorous understanding of the natural world: from their own local wildlife, environment and ecosystem to critical global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity and sustainability.

Jill Duffy, Chief Executive of OCR, said: 

“Natural History is for everyone. OCR’s Natural History GCSE will give young people the skills to understand and protect the nature on their doorstep and beyond, whether they live in urban, suburban, or rural environments. We will continue to offer ideas and help shape this vital new qualification. Through the partnerships we’ve formed with teachers and students, we are well prepared to deliver this exciting new GCSE.”

#439: Don't forget the Facebook group

From yesterday's Guardian newspaper which I picked up...

Now that we have finally have some news on the GCSE Natural History, you may want to join the Facebook group that we set up nearly three years ago. It has just reached 800 members with a flurry of new members in the last few days.

There are a few Chats on there which are aimed at collecting some ideas for the sort of support that teachers might need.

#438: World Water Day

Coming just a few days after International Glacier Day is World Water Day.

The two are connected for many... well over 1 billion people rely on diminishing glaciers for their water (and/or energy)...

#437: Well, now we are finally getting somewhere... maybe...

Well, it took a while, but there was some news from Parliament today....

Here was the question in Parliament.

It was asked by Ellie Chowns of the Green Party.

And here was the answer from Cathrine McKinnell.

Let's see what happens next...

According to The Guardian:

The government will consult on the GCSE’s subject content later this year. According to Colwell, the criteria drafted under the previous government would need to be revised to ensure the GCSE provided young people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland with fieldwork opportunities to learn about the wildlife in their local neighbourhoods.

#436: IFAD graphic

A powerful and simple representation of the impact of diversity loss on people...

IFAD is the International Fund for Agricultural Development.

#435: Apps for plant identification

There are two key apps for those who want to identify plants. I've already mentioned iNaturalist, but I've also had a play with the PlantNet app.

This is free to download for iPhone and Android.

I tried it in the gardens of the building where my classroom is located. The app was good at letting me know what plant I was looking at.

#434: Schloriz cartoon

 

#433: National Character Areas (NCAs)

Natural England has updated the National Landscape Character assessments on their website.

 Wherever you are in England you are in one of these areas, which has a particular character.

Each NCA represents an area of distinct and recognisable character at the national scale. 

Their boundaries follow natural lines in the landscape, not county or district boundaries. 

This makes them a good framework for decision-making and planning for future change. 

The information contained within the NCA profiles aims to help guide land management and other activities to strengthen character and resilience, responding to pressures such as climate change.

I was born in Area 38: Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Yorkshire Coalfield

I studied in Area 37: Yorkshire Southern Pennine Fringe

I trained as a teacher in Area 41: Humber Estuary

My first job was in Area 69: Trent Valley Washlands

The first home I owned was in Area 76: North West Norfolk and my school was on the very edge of Area 46: The Fens

I spent three years working in Area 37 - Yorkshire Southern Pennine Fringe, when I worked for the Geographical Association.

I now live in Area 84: Mid Norfolk, and my current school is in Area 46: The Fens

What numbers have you lived in?

#432: Richmond Council supports the GCSE Natural History

 Richmond Council has come out in favour of the GCSE Natural History.

#431: Earthrise

This photograph could be said to have kick started the environmental movement. Connects with a fairly recent post #372.

It was first seen in a special issue of the New York Times.

It was taken by NASA astronaut: William Anders using a Hasselblad camera during the Apollo 

This was the first mission to take a manned vehicle around the 'dark side' of the moon.

The original photo had the moon vertically in the frame, and has been cropped and rotated for impact. I have copies on postcards but it has been used numerous times.

William Anders sadly died in 2024 reducing the number of people still alive who have actually stood on the moon, or were part of the original NASA Apollo missions.

#430: Myth busting nature as a block to growth

A piece by Joe Keegan for the Wildlife Trusts' website.

This follows Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer's recent comments and language used by those who seek to block road and airport projects...

Research by PwC found that 47% of the companies on the London Stock Exchange are highly or moderately dependent on nature. The assertion that protecting nature undermines economic growth is simply incorrect; nature is the bedrock upon which the economy is built. The findings of the Dasgupta Review reiterate this view, highlighting the significant economic value of nature.

Nature is not a block to growth.... 

#429: Alfred Russel Wallace

A piece in The Conversation in January 2025 looked at the work of Alfred Russel Wallace - someone who one would expect the GCSE Natural History - if it occurs - might 

#428: Launch the GCSE Natural History now!

So say campaigners according to this Guardian piece from the weekend.

It could apparently be delayed until 2030....

The previous Conservative administration had supported creating the GCSE, which would teach pupils how to observe, identify and classify plants and animals.
However, campaigners have claimed the plans had been shelved by Labour because the qualification was seen as a “Tory initiative”.

In response to a letter sent by Mary Colwell, Caroline Lucas and others...

A Department for Education spokesperson said on Saturday: “We are committed to driving high and rising standards in schools and ensuring all pupils benefit from a rich and balanced curriculum that sets them up for work and life.

“Through our National Education Nature Park programme, led by the Natural History Museum, children and young people are inspired to connect with nature and develop their understanding of their own role in climate change.

“The government is currently in the process of considering the next steps for a natural history GCSE.”

Let's see what happens next...

#427: Tree.FM

A tip-off via BlueSky.

Tree.FM will play the sound of a random forest. Good for escaping or relaxing. Click to be taken to another forest if you fancy a change.

People around the world recorded the sounds of their forests, so you can escape into nature, and unwind wherever you are. Take a breath and soak in the forest sounds as they breathe with life and beauty!

And while you are here, why not help to grow what keeps us alive? Climate change and governments are destroying our forests. Let’s leave some trees for our grandchildren to climb and make the steps to restore our planet.

#426: Nice beaver...

There are wild beavers within 15 minutes of my house.... they are active at Sculthorpe Nature Reserve in Norfolk.

As #COP29 draws to a close in Baku, perhaps it is a good moment to be reminded that despite the complex global politics, there are practical things we can do on the ground here in England. & in acting to build resilience to climate change impacts, we can restore Nature too. pic.twitter.com/YdzbeFyvPC

— Tony Juniper (@TonyJuniper) November 22, 2024

These local initiatives are part of the Beavers and Biodiversity Gain Project.

In September 2019, after a successful application to the Green Recovery Challenge Fund, the Trust secured a grant.

The project was in two stages, based at the Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve – Norfolk.

• Creation and reintroduction of Beaver area.
• The diversion of flood water from the Wensum to Hempton Moor, south of the Reserve, and enhancing its wetland habitat (reedbed & ponds).

#425: Fieldwork ideas - Mission:Explore

Mission:Explore is a series of books which was produced by a group of people called the Geography Collective. 

I am proud to say that I was one of the co-founders of the project, along with Daniel Raven Ellison after a late night phone call.

Some of the missions lend themselves to being adapted or used directly to guide fieldwork.

Why not track down one of the books and give them a go?

#424: A year of Environmental Lunacy

The NAEE is sharing a Year of Environmental Lunacy. 

There will be a monthly post looking at the full moon which occurs in that year. These have a name which often stems from America and Canada's Indigenous / first nation people, and the world they lived in, but that means they are not always appropriate for the UK.

This project is about suggesting a name which fits with the UK's wildlife.

The first one has just gone up, with Paula Owens suggesting that we call the Wolf Moon (January's full moon - which occurs tomorrow) as the Fox Moon.

NEW Blog series :: Environmental Lunacy Project - UK NAEE https://t.co/cYbi32Rd3m

— NAEE in the UK (@NAEE_UK) January 12, 2025

Delighted to say that I will be contributing one of the monthly posts later in the year.

Check back each month to see a different author suggest an alternative new name for that month's full moon.

#423: Biome Pyramid

 

#422: Ellen Bradley on the importance of the new qualification

A recent post by Ellen Bradley.

Our education system is failing. Failing to give young people the chance to understand the nature on their doorstep. Failing to give society the foundational knowledge needed to care for and protect the natural world. 

The Natural History GCSE is a unique and hugely exciting opportunity to level the playing field, to give generations of people the chance to discover more about their surroundings.

#421: Natural History Reading List #22: 'Homecoming'

'Homecoming' is the latest book by nature writer Melissa Harrison. 

It is a chunky almanac-cum-diary which can be filled in over the course of a year, but started at any time.

After an introduction into the importance of engaging with the natural world, and the benefits to be gained by doing that, the book includes a monthly summary of what can be seen in nature and the weather.

This is followed by a diary type set of page where observations can be recorded, and a set of tick boxes of typical wildlife interactions that you might have in that particular month. There are note pages and other things.

While you should of course support your local bookseller, if you are on a budget, this is currently half price on Amazon.

My copy was published by W and N

It was purchased from Topping Books in Ely. Support your local 

Hardback, 320pp

ISBN: 978-1399618779