About us
We have enjoyed and explored the natural world with our growing families and have a shared passion for encouraging more people to discover the joys of wild places. We believe that all youngsters deserve opportunities to have fun and adventures out there in the real world, both for their own benefit and the long term benefit of the environment.
By bringing together our experiences with our own children, Jo’s background in educational psychology and photographic skills, and Fiona’s knowledge of environmental education, we hope to raise awareness of the many benefits children gain by interacting and reconnecting with the natural world through free play. To do this we have written a series of books and this website. We write articles for a range of national and international press, journals and magazines, as well as giving talks and running training events for educators, parents and those working in the environment. We also want to encourage everyone to share their ideas and experiences via our blog on this website so others can benefit.
We have been working in partnership with Natural England to develop an outdoor activity toolkit. This forms part of Let's Go Wild! their new family engagement programme to attract younger visitors to national nature reserves through creative, imaginative and informative activities and events. Let's Go Wild! contributes to Natural England's One Million Children Outdoors campaign. Other work with Natural England includes work for the Scouts and the "Big Wildlife Garden" websites.
We have also teamed up with The National Trust to inspire more families to step outside and enjoy being outdoors together. Look out for the insert in the summer edition of their family magazine, it is full of inspiring ideas for adventures at National Trust places.
Ethos of going wild
We hope Going Wild will inspire more people to leave the comfort of their living rooms and get outdoors to experience the natural world for real. At the worst you may get a little cold and muddy, at the least you may have lasting memories of sharing Nature’s Playground together. At the very best we could have a generation of more balanced, healthier individuals prepared to secure the future of our planet.
We believe Going Wild can help the next generation
to:
Feel good about themselves and their
abilities, be happier and more confident
Be less scared about tackling life’s
challenges, better able to assess risk and take personal responsibility
for their own actions
Experience and enjoy the simple
pleasures in life and take a more balanced view of consumerism, get
their values in perspective
Respect and understand the fragile
balance between nature and human needs, becoming aware of how their
actions affect the natural world which in turn affects them
Be healthier through leading a more
active life and developing a better understanding of real food
Help teenagers become less aggressive,
less angry and better able to communicate and socialize without always
relying on technology.
Help youngsters to cope better with
the increasing pressures arising from modern living by escaping and
de-stressing outdoors
Take time to slow down and learn new
skills while having fun
Encourage teenagers to do things together with their family at a time when it can be difficult to keep in touch.
Natural England aim to conserve and enhance the natural environment as
well as encouraging people to enjoy and get involved in their
surroundings
www.naturalengland.org.uk
