Image credit: Holly Wilkinson
North Chilterns Chalk Community Engagement
The North Chilterns are an area of chalk hills in Bedfordshire. Pockets of grassland, scrub and woodland remain on steep slopes that are unsuitable for farming. Traditional wildflower meadows (the grassland equivalent of ancient woodlands) in these hills have created wonderful habitats for wildflowers, invertebrates and larger animals.
We can deliver a range of programmes for schools, activities for scouts, brownies and other youth groups and guided walks or talks on the unique wildlife and history of the area.
School Assemblies
Our assemblies are free of charge and can be adapted to last from 15-30 minutes, depending on time available in your school day. Themes vary between the seasons, but they will all inspire your pupils to enjoy and care for wildlife.
Fundraising (Sep – July) Learn about our current appeals and how raising funds can help us stand up for wildlife and wild places.
Winter Wildlife (October to March) Discover a variety of ways to help wildlife during the cold Winter months.
30 Days Wild (April & May) Find out more about our annual nature challenge and see if you have what it takes to do one wild thing a day, every day throughout June.
Bees (April – September) Learn about the function and importance of pollinators and how you can help protect them.
Educational Programs
We have two exciting outreach programs that we can bring into your school.
North Chilterns Chalk Educational Programme
The curriculum linked programs aim to develop an understanding of the place where we live and the wildlife on our doorstep through:
- Helping to inspire pupils’ curiosity and fascination in their local environment
- Developing geographical skills with the use of a map
- Developing scientific skills in identification and classification of plants and animals
- Developing scientific vocabulary
- Exploring living things in their habitat
- Providing exciting examples of life cycles, food chains and the work of scientists
- Using speaking and listening skills in discussions and storytelling.
- Providing “hands on” interactive programs with professional resources.
The Tiny Creatures of the Big Hill (EYFS, KS1 & Lower KS2)
This half day primary school programme introduces pupils to the Chiltern hills via a giant, illustrated map. Pupils will learn the difference between human and physical features and find out about the rare plants and animals that live in the chalk hills. Through fun, engaging games they’ll learn to sort animals according to their characteristics and explore simple food chains and life cycles through interactive story telling. Pupils will venture out into their own school grounds to identify and observe different habitats and will learn different techniques to safely capture, examine and identify minibeasts.
Fossils under your feet (Lower KS2)
During this exciting 90-minute programme, pupils will travel back in time to the cretaceous period to find out how the North Chiltern Chalk Hills were formed. Through interactive storytelling, pupils will gain a deeper understanding of what this area looked like millions of years ago. They’ll learn about the important work of geologists and palaeontologists and how their fossil discoveries give us clues to what animals used to roam the earth millions of years ago. Pupils will gain a good understanding about how fossils are formed and create their own fossil imprint using clay.
“I enjoyed the fossil workshop as I learnt loads of new things I had no idea about, like 100 million years ago Bedfordshire was under water!” Year 6 pupil
Community Group Visits
If you have a cubs, brownies, scouts or guide group or run a youth group, why not have one of our team deliver a fun, interactive activity session? Indoor and outdoor workshops are available.
Activities we can offer;
- Owl pellet dissection.
- Mini breast hunts and nature walks available at these reserves; Blows Downs (Dunstable) Totternhoe, Bradgers Hill (Luton) and Coopers Hill (Ampthill).
- Practical conservation, bushcraft and exploratory skills (inspired by Forest Schools), available in your own setting or at the reserves listed above.
Youth Rangers groups for Secondary-aged Young People
These meetings are great for young people who want to meet new friends, explore new places, learn new skills, build their confidence and do something really positive for the environment. Equipment is provided, guidance and support is given throughout. There is no need for previous experience. Activities include tree planting, nature walks and monitoring various species.
The locations for Youth Rangers are in the North Chilterns and Flit Vale areas. They get together on Saturday mornings or during the school holidays. For more information, contact matt.sutcliffe@wildlifebcn.org.
Contact us
Email: matt.sutcliffe@wildlifebcn.org
Phone: 07874 895633
The Wildlife Trust BCN, Unit 2, Griffin Farm, Conger Lane, Toddington, Befordshire, LU5 6BT
“Children particularly enjoyed the tactical resources that they were able to handle and examine; as well as the chance to create their own clay fossils. Most children left with a good understanding of what fossils are.”
Robert Enderby
North Chilterns Chalk Living Landscape
Learn more
Find your local learning experience
Our Activity Centres provide wonderful natural settings with dedicated teams leading engaging ways for families to enjoy the outdoors. These include bug hunts, pond dipping, den building, insect days and night adventures looking for bats, glow worms and magnificent moths.
