#552: The John Clare Countryside Project

This was on the local news magazine programme tonight.

John Clare was a poet who was influenced by nature and the outside world.

The artist in residence Kathryn Parsons was interviewed.

The project is expanding.

An excellent booklet which provides details of the project

Download the booklet here (PDF download)

You can also download a set of Education resources.

The 2015 film By Our Selves (Andrew Kötting), featuring Toby Jones, traced Clare’s walk. Other fans of Clare’s work include Patrick Stewart and Damon Albarn.

#551: World Frog Day - March 20th

One possible additional focus for teachers is to mention or highlight some of the specific days during the year which are linked to specific species of wildlife.

Here's one for you:

March 20th is World Frog Day.

Use the Amphibian Ark website, which has a range of resources.

#550: Threatened rock art

The Vingen Quarry in Norway has a range of threatened rock art.

This Guardian article from 2024 explores the reason why such sites should be protected.

Rock art falls into the category of "representations of the natural world".

#549: New Natural History Centre at Heligan

Details are here:

A NEW educational hub dedicated to championing the cause of nature has opened at a tourist attraction in Cornwall.

The Centre for Nature Futures at the Lost Gardens of Heligan, near Mevagissey, was launched in front of an invited audience of educationalists and business people.

Speeches were given by Heligan co-founder Sir Tim Smit, Heligan chief executive David Harland, head of Nature Futures Dan Ryan and Mary Colwell, a conservationist and naturalist who has led a campaign to introduce a natural history GCSE to the national curriculum.