As the Great Fen project is a 100-year vision, the students were tasked with looking ahead to the next 25 years through a ‘design your own nature reserve’ activity. Together they considered what habitats they would include, what species might arrive and how their reserve could help mitigate against climate change. It was fantastic to see them applying their knowledge gained from the classroom to discussions on conservation here at the Great Fen.
Welcoming new faces to the Great Fen!
The Ramsey Heights team have had a busy start to the year welcoming lots of new faces to the Great Fen. In January, 17 Environmental Science A-Level students from Cambridge Academy for Science and Technology left the classroom for a day out in the Fens. Arriving at Ramsey Heights Nature Reserve to meet Communities and Education Officers, Laura and Rebekah, the students discovered the aims of the Great Fen project, the progress made 25 years in and the positive impacts for people and for wildlife.
After lunch, the students jumped back on the minibus to continue their Great Fen tour. Next stop, the Holme Fen posts. Whilst admiring the bright winters light which shone through the silver birch trees on what felt like a rare day of sunshine, the students were amazed at the extend of peat shrinkage since the columns were installed in 1851. The importance of locking down peat was highlighted further by students measuring their individual height as a way of visualising peat loss vs peat growth. For example, for a student who is 170cm (5ft 7”) it would take 1,700 years for peat to grow (under the right conditions) to match their height. In comparison, it could take just 85 years for the peat to be lost*….
*Calculation = peat growth at 1mm per year vs a loss of 1-2cms per year.
The final stop was a visit to the paludiculture beds with plenty of wildlife seen along the way. A fox darted across the path, a herd of Chinese water deer bounded through the fields and a red kite soared above. Upon arrival, the group were greeted by Lorna Parker, Great Fen Project Manager, who shared information on the innovative uses of plants (e.g., Typha and sphagnum) and the Trust’s wet farming trials. The students also considered the habitats which are created through this new system of land management and the ability for the habitat to store carbon.
As the sun began to set and the temperatures dropped, it was time to head back to the bus and say goodbye to the students … until next time!
Feedback from the teacher following the visit:
Excellent overview of the project and clear understanding of the aims and purpose. [The students] have all told me how much they enjoyed the day and especially impressed with the scale and size of the project’
We also welcomed a new cohort of agricultural studies from a university in China for a similar day out in the Fens. It was interesting to see the different approaches they took when completing the same ‘design your own nature reserve’ activity.
Book your visit to the Great Fen –
Get in touch via info@greatfen.org.uk to speak to a member of the team.
Image credit: Laura Allen
