#680: Young people's disconnection from nature

One via my Google Alert for 'GCSE Natural History'.

It's from the Falmouth Packet.

It quotes from a Lost Gardens of Heligan survey of 1000 children aged 11-14, which says that:

• More than half of them had never climbed a tree.
• 60% had never collected conkers
• 70% had never made a daisy chain.

The interesting bit is that 75% of young people want to take the proposed Natural History GCSE – and they want real, practical experience. They are calling for hands-on fieldwork, habitat restoration and practical tools to respond to climate change.

I hunted out the original survey.

Interestingly the Lost Gardens of Heligan has shared the response they made for the consultation, which is now closed.

Lost Gardens of Heligan have submitted a consultation response calling on the Department for Education to name the qualification GCSE Natural Futures, rather than Natural History.

The name matters. 'History' signals fossils and museums; 'Futures' reflects the living planet, environmental stewardship and the critical role this generation will play in protecting it.

The full response can be read here.

The research was conducted online by Walr on behalf of The Lost Gardens of Heligan among 1,004 matched parent-child pairs in England. All participating adults were parents or legal guardians of at least one child aged 11 to 14. Parents and children answered separate sections of the questionnaire, with some questions asked of both audiences to allow comparison.

The sample included respondents from every English region. Fieldwork was conducted in August 2026. Percentages have been rounded to the nearest whole number and may not total 100%. For multiple-choice questions, respondents could select more than one answer. The executive summary and underlying data tables are available on request.

#671: UN World Restoration Flagships

Via email newsletter from UNESCO.

A global focus, whereas a UK focus is more likely for the GCSE.

At the seventeenth session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, the United Nations has recognised three new UN World Restoration Flagships.

From Brazil's Cerrado savannah to the Sahel and the vast lands of Saudi Arabia, these initiatives join a movement now restoring nearly 20 million hectares worldwide, with 75 million hectares committed by 2030 and over 800,000 jobs created along the way. Land degradation is not irreversible, and these three winners prove it.

The Cerrado Savannah, Brazil



This initiative takes on the Cerrado, a savannah that has already lost over half its native vegetation to land conversion. More than 180 organizations, Indigenous Peoples, farmers and researchers are restoring land across nine states through natural regeneration, direct seeding and agroforestry. Over 27,000 hectares are already mapped under restoration, with seeds from more than 150 native species collected to build a lasting restoration supply chain.
By 2030, the initiative aims to restore 2 million hectares — part of Brazil's national commitment to restore 12 million.

Read more about the initiative.

The documentary trailer is here:

Sahel Intergrated Resilience Initiative.

Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger.



Restoring land, feeding millions.

Since 2018, the Sahel Integrated Resilience Initiative has strengthened food security and livelihoods for more than four million people, rehabilitating over 335,000 hectares through stone bunds, zai pits, wetland restoration and water-harvesting infrastructure. This work matters most now, as 7.4 million people across the region face crisis-level food insecurity this lean season. In Chad alone, more than a million people were reached in 2025 across 313 villages. 

By 2030, the initiative aims to restore 470,000 hectares and lock away up to 20 million tons of CO₂.

Read more about the initiative.

Documentary trailer:

National Greening Program

Saudi Arabia.



159 million trees and counting: Saudi Arabia's National Greening Program is restoring degraded landscapes — rangelands, forests, deserts, urban areas and coastal mangroves. By June 2026, the programme had planted more than 159 million trees and brought 1 million hectares under restoration, reintroducing species including the Arabian oryx, gazelles and ibex. By 2030, the programme aims to restore 2.5 million hectares and plant 215 million trees, part of a national goal of 40 million hectares and 10 billion trees.

Read more about the initiative.

Documentary:

StoryMap



The interactive StoryMap takes you inside the journeys behind Brazil's Cerrado, the Sahel and Saudi Arabia's National Greening Program. 

Explore the people, the land, and the results, mapped and told in their own words. 

#637: Tree of the Year 2026

The Woodland Trust is once again inviting votes for the Tree of the Year.

For the Woodland Trust, trees are really important.

A tree may be a village’s oldest inhabitant, a much-loved local landmark, a place to meet, play or exercise, or a gardener’s pride and joy. Whatever their story, Tree of the Year aims to highlight and appreciate how vital trees are for our landscapes and our lives.

Trees clean our air, cool our streets, reduce flooding, support wildlife and boost our health and wellbeing. This year’s Tree of the Year contest is celebrating the trees that have gone the extra mile, surviving an array of challenges and still standing strong against the odds. These extraordinary trees are icons in their communities, clinging on despite extreme growing conditions, disease, lightning strikes and even cannonball fire! Each one is remarkable to look at and has an even more remarkable story behind it.

The team has shortlisted 10 trees and you can vote for your favourite before the 29th of September.

I've voted for mine...

#592: Life after Death

Another article from 'The Conversation' which will be a useful resource to mine for suitable inspiration for some of the proposed curriculum content for the GCSE Natural History.

It explores how things that have died pass on their nutrient to new life...

The term "ecological memory" is used here.

#577: Natural History Reading List #25: 'How to read a Tree'

Another really useful book by navigation expert Tristan Gooley.

I have a signed copy of his previous book: 'The Natural Explorer'

This book explores what a tree can tell us about the landscape. It says a great deal about the value of trees and how they interact with the soil, atmosphere, weather and biodiversity. They influence the drainage and fertility of the soil, and can also tell us a lot about where we are, and how the landscape is changing.

The loss of a tree can touch millions, as we saw with the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree.

It would make a useful book to add to the library for those who are considering work in local woodlands for fieldwork. We are still waiting to see to what extent woodlands are featured in the final specification.

My thinking would be that the final specification would involve students investigating a range of ecosystems and the value of a tree is something which students should certainly be asked to consider, perhaps when thinking about the wider 'value' of nature in our lives and landscapes.

Published by Hodder Press

Paperback, 320pp

ISBN: 978-1529339628

#544: 3-30-300

A framework for nature I came across via a map activity shared by Bob Lang.

It's an evidence-based guideline for how to integrate nature into cities so people actually benefit from trees and green spaces.

The rule of thumb provides clear criteria for the minimum provision of urban trees in our urban communities by setting the following three minimum requirements:

• 3 mature trees from every home
• 30 percent tree canopy cover in every neighbourhood
• 300 metres from the nearest high-quality public park or other green space

Simple. Measurable. Backed by research showing that proximity to nature reduces stress, improves mood, and has genuine health benefits.

How does your neighbourhood score on this measure?

I can see a great many more than 3 mature trees frm my home and am less than 100 metres from green spaces. 

Not sure of the overall tree canopy cover, but it's fairly high... 

Image: Holkham Meals - Alan Parkinson - shared on Flickr under CC license.

#521: National Tree Week 2025

The resource pack from the Tree Council for this year's National Tree Week has been made available as a PDF download via this link.

The week itself runs from the 22nd to the 30th of November.

By the way, for an excellent book on British woodlands check out 'British Woodland' by Ray Mears. A lovely book! It's in my library...

#473: Happy National Tree Day

Some GA resources.

Image: Alan Parkinson, shared on Flickr under CC license - some trees in Shropshire

#453: The 'English' Oak

 

The Common or ‘English’ Oak (Quercus Robur) is the national tree of Germany. And obviously England

But also Poland, Romania, Belarus, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Serbia & Moldova pic.twitter.com/VcYFglCaz5

— The English Oak Project (@TheKentAcorn) May 26, 2025

#445: National History Reading List #23: 'Oak and Ash and Thorn'

Another book that would be good to add to the developing reading list of books for those who are developing curriculum resources for the new GCSE Natural History.

It is a book about the ancient woodlands, as well as the more recent forests of Britain. 

It is written by Peter Fiennes, and focusses on some of the species that have been around for the longest. It would sit nicely with some of the other tree related books I have mentioned before on the blog.

There are plenty of possible locations for field visits here too - and I hope that young people explore woodlands as part of their teaching.

The image shows a useful chapter on the importance of trees in cities. Regular readers will know of the the vital part that trees play in ensuring lower temperatures, and the link with the London National Park City campaign.

#390: Canopy

 Canopy is a group of campaigners who are interested in woodland in particular.

It collates the activities of a whole range of organisations that are concerned to protect existing tree cover, and expand the area of woodland.

It seems to have new additions each time I check in...

#364: Sycamore Gap: a GA resource

A new(ish) resource which can be accessed and used by members of the Geographical Association. I am considering adding a section of this to my teaching this year.

Sycamore Gap is a significant landmark in Northumberland where three distinct features combined: a natural and dramatic dip in the physical landscape about halfway along the 80-mile run of Hadrian’s Wall, itself an ancient monument and reminder of the power of the Roman Empire, and until recently, a lone, 300-year-old Sycamore tree. The site has UNESCO designation and is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Arguably, it will still be known as Sycamore Gap because of its story.

The tree has stood for hundreds of years, perfectly framed by the landscape, thrilling locals and visitors alike until it was deliberately cut down, under cover of darkness, sometime between the evening of 27 September 2023 and the following morning. 

The loss of the tree has caused an outcry and reaction of public grief.

These materials are designed to help children think about some of the issues this story raises. What do they know about Sycamore Gap? Where is it? Have they been there? Why and how do certain landmarks hold such meaning? What is the cultural impact of this and other significant landmarks on our lives? Whose place is this? Who decides what happens here?

While these materials provide a relevant and current context for developing geographical substantive, disciplinary and procedural knowledge, they also model how you might investigate other landmarks with particular significance to your own local community and landscape and the emotions they engender in people.

Complete Materials:PowerPoint
Teachers Notes
Photo Activity
Individual Resource Pages:

Sycamore Gap 1: What’s the geography story?
Sycamore Gap 2: What can images and maps tell us about landmarks?
Sycamore Gap 3: Why can we see so many stars?
Sycamore Gap 4: Changing views
Sycamore Gap 5: How do we feel about it?
Sycamore Gap 6: A Gap in the landscape
Sycamore Gap 7: Why should we value trees?
Sycamore Gap 8: What would be your ‘tree of the year’?
Sycamore Gap 9: Change
Sycamore Gap 10: How do we fill the Gap?


Thanks to Steve Rawlinson, Tessa Willy, Sharon Witt and Margaret Mackintosh for feedback, edits and ideas.

#279: Tree.fm

Want to hear the sounds of a random forest? Check out Tree.fm.

#270: Attitudes to Nature

Take a look at this report.

It is from Oxfordshire County Council, and they have a website where people can report problems in their local community.

It's a shame that this could be flagged as a problem. 

I presume one possibility is that the tree will be removed... 

#269: Woodland

Trees are (normally) going to be an important part of the final specification when it launches - with a look at deciduous woodland management, local woodland being used for field visits to investigate plant succession, fungi forays etc, and also some tree-planting going on hopefully.

It would be nice to think that some environmental organisation or other company might offer free trees to any centre that offers the new specification. 

There are certainly some interesting stories and books which delve into the connections we have with trees and ancient woodlands and our subconscious: our folk memories of life amongst the trees in the past. 

This avenue is about half a mile from my home and in spring is lined with snowdrops.

What tree-related books do you think are of value to add to our reading list?

Here's a few that we thought of:

'British Woodland' - Ray Mears

'How to read a tree' - Tristan Gooley

'Woodlands' - Oliver Rackham

Image: Alan Parkinson - shared under CC license

#263: Giants are flourishing

An interesting story on the BBC today about the giant redwooods that were planted in a number of locations to add to arboretums or woodlands in the grounds of stately homes, and which are now flourishing in the UK's climate. 

They were brought over by the Victorians, along with a range of other plants which were introduced at this time to ornamental gardens.

It was interesting to see that there are now more of the trees here in the UK than are left in California. 

As they are no older than 160 years, does that make them part of our natural history now? They are non-native species of course.

The research article also refers to the carbon sequestration potential of the trees.

Disney, Mathias et al. (2023). Data for: UK redwoods terrestrial laser scanner point clouds [Dataset]. Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.ttdz08m3n

Giant redwoods (Sequoiadendron giganteum) are some of the UK’s largest trees, despite only being introduced in the mid-19th century. Given recent interest in planting redwoods in the UK, partly due to their carbon sequestration potential and also their undoubted public appeal, an understanding of their viability is important.

#244: National History Playlist #2: Secret Keeper

This song featuring the Royal Northern Sinfonia, was commissioned by Newcastle Gateshead Initiative for the Great Exhibition of the North in 2018.

It was accompanied by some visuals when the song was first shown on TV, and some drones as well.

The song's lyrics refer to a beech tree, into which a couple carve their initials (this is not to be encouraged of course). It grows, as does their relationship... as decades pass and a new couple appears at the tree. The tree has borne witness to plenty of change in the landscape, including the closure of the mines.

I have seen the skyline shift as I've grown older
Let the future be a gift as it grows bolder
My roots grow deeper, secret keeper

#233: Natural History Reading List #16: 'British Woodland" How to explore the secret world of our trees'

This is a new book written by survival expert and TV personality Ray Mears. I can attest to the power of Ray's storytelling as I attended an excellent talk he gave in Ely Cathedral several years ago, organised by Topping Books of Ely.

This book explores British Woodlands, and is very nicely designed.  The book is organised under themed chapters, but the trees themselves are arranged in alphabetical order, starting with Alder, and working through Beech, Elm, Horse Chestnut, Pine, Sycamore and many others, ending up with Yew. A final chapter explores the Future, and the book begins with a look at the past, when there were no trees in much of the UK as it had been scraped clean by glaciers. The trees soon returned to colonise the land, before people then stripped them all away.

There is some nice photography and the story of each tree is joined with a narrative. Each tree has a double page of information and a picture of their leaves, to aid identification perhaps. 

A focus for the narrative is on the usefulness of each tree for different things. The photography also explores toxic and edible plants and fungi as well as berries and other fruits which can be found in British woodlands. The book covers a whole range of associated topics e.g. Phototropism.

I liked the section on 'How not to get lost', which is all to easy of course in dense woodland. There are also photos of some of the indicator species of ancient woodlands towards the end of the book. 

This would make a fantastic addition to any library of Natural History books, and also a great gift for someone.

I obtained this book from the Norfolk Library Service. It was published in 2023.

The paperback edition comes out on the 21st of March, 2024 and I will be adding a copy to my GCSE Natural History library.

#223: Forestry and Land Scotland

Forestry and Land Scotland is an organisation which has a broad remit, and manages land in Scotland. They have a LEARN section on their website, which contains some useful resources which may well be of value for those teaching the new specification.

These include the following:

- an ID guide to help identify Scotland's tree species

- the lifcycle of a piece of wood from seedling to finished product - exploring the various products from forestry may be relevant

- Scotland's heritage

- activity sheets

There's also a Future Forest podcast.

#214: The Battle for Sheffield's Trees

A Long Read in The Guardian from October 2023 focussed on the battle to save Sheffield's trees during a period when their removal had been contracted out to a company that had no issues with removing an excessive number of trees which were causing no harm to people's property and were not diseased and dangerous.

At the time, people were arrested and had their lives disrupted and faced a criminal record to protect trees which were not causing any problems.

We know that trees are essential in cities and Sheffield was famous for having perhaps more trees than any other European city.

They had already lost elms during the period when Dutch Elm disease ravaged the tree species and changed the landscape in many parts of the country.

Today's Guardian long read on the battle for Sheffield's trees https://t.co/7Ep6vMFoXS

— GCSE Natural History (@GCSENatHist) October 24, 2023