Froglife has received national recognition for a unique approach to explaining the value of biodiversity to young people.
Froglife’s week-long Under the Surface exhibition featured larger than life pond creatures, like frogs, tadpoles and pond invertebrates, and urged visitors to explore the make-believe underwater scene to understand more about the relationships between the animals and plants.
The magical event was awarded Best Science Event by the British Science Association, as part of National Science and Engineering Week (12th – 20th March).
“We thought it was a really wonderful event, and we loved the way they reached out to different parts of the community to create artistic representations of what life is like under the water.” said Dan Richards, of the British Science Association, who judged the award. “It was a great to see an activity that could be tailored to engage all sorts of different groups while still communicating a core message of biodiversity.”
The exhibition formed part of Froglife’s calendar of events celebrating 2010 International Year of Biodiversity – raising awareness of efforts to safeguard biodiversity and focusing minds on the urgent conservation challenges ahead.
“The International Year for Biodiversity proved to be a great theme for the event, backing up the fun and creativity with a more serious lesson to be learnt about what biodiversity is, and why safeguarding it matters to all of us. Essentially, this was a science lesson with a difference.” said Natalie Giles, part of Froglife’s education team.
“This type of event is something of a niche for Froglife, bringing an interactive and hands-on approach to sharing important concepts in conservation. We will be developing this ‘science with a difference’ approach further through our education strategy and future events and projects.” said Froglife’s Sam Taylor.
The larger than life animals featuring in the exhibition were created by local young people and volunteers through Froglife’s Ponds for Life project (funded by the Heritage Lottery Foundation) and Green Pathways Scheme (funded by BBC Children in Need).
2 comments:
Hi Folks,
Just thought to drop you a line to say that I was cleaning out our garden pond this week as it has been over a year since we last saw any of our Koi Carp swimming around. We assumed that a Heron or some sort of bird has had them, shame. As the pond is quite large and resides under a very large weeping willow tree which sheds loads of its leaves into the pond I thought it was time to clean it out.
First disconect the hose of the pump from the filter and pump the water out onto the garden area. After it had pumped as much as it was going to [level low] it was on with the wellies and into the pond to bail out the remaning water. After retrieving a big globual of frog sporn into a bucket and 6 frogs which we safely transfered to the brook at the bottom of the garden. It was out with the rake,fork & shovel to remove all the slimy sludge in the bottom, when I spotted a 2 newts slithering through the mud & leaves. I carfully picked them up and also transfered to the brook.
So feeling rather pleased with myself that I had 2 newts albet very small approx 40mm long in the pond and managed to rescue them is the reason for this note to let you all know I was visited by a couple of newts. Long may they live.
Congratulations!
It's great to know that you can be rewarded for your efferts.
The perspective is original and thought - provoking. Well done!
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