2012

Six South Lakeland Primary Schools have participated in this summer’s “Experience the River” project which is run annually as part of the education work of South Cumbria Rivers Trust. The schools were Leven Valley, Heversham, Milnthorpe, Crosthwaite, Cartmel and Roose. The project, over a three day period, aims to familiarise the children with a river or stream within walking distance of their school, to heighten their awareness of the importance of our river habitats and the need for conservation, in particular highlighting any issues of local importance.

The work starts off with an introductory session in school where the children hone their teamwork skills then complete a number of challenges which involve:- identification of bugs using keys, matching scientific vocabulary to definitions and completing a quiz with real specimens which illustrate important issues in our river systems such as the decline and recovery of otters, introduction of mink, spread of crayfish plague, loss of pearl mussels and pollution issues. We also sort animals into a food chain, and tackle a quiz testing the wise use of our precious water resources.

At the river, the children observe, sketch and collect rubbings, marks and colours to use in the art work which follows. Then follows great excitement as the children are allowed to paddle in the water with hand nets to hunt out a range of creatures, which are then sorted and identified before being quickly returned unharmed to the river. The hands-on activity also allows children to really tune into the river environment and witness the weird and wonderful array of life- they have seen at first hand a mayfly hatching and taking its first flight, a dragonfly motionless on a cool morning, a bullhead crouching among the stones.

Back at school the morning’s catch is recorded and scored, giving a Biotic Index for each site which is a measure of water quality. Local issues are highlighted where possible, maybe concerns over a pollution incident, the introduction of non native invasive species, misuse of the banks or a change in the balance of species. The children are encouraged to take responsibility for their local stream or river via their family, community and school.

The school sessions finish with an art project using a variety of printing techniques to combine the textures, shapes and colours of the riverbank with the assemblage of creatures found, each child producing a riverscape for display.

We are very grateful for the generosity of our sponsors who have made this ecology/art project possible this year, and to the landowners who have allowed access to the river sites.