LEEF Articles

Young People Making A Difference It’s their future, help them change it Author: Envision read in full

Intersting Films Author: LEEF read in full

BBC Breathing Places Free Activity Pack for Schools Author: BBC Breathing Places BBC Breathing Places is a campaign all about encouraging people to do one thing for nature. A free schools activity pack has been produced to help teachers deliver simple nature activities in the classroom. read in full

Useful Gardening Resources for Teachers Author: LEEF read in full

Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto (LOtC) Natural Environment Sector Partnership Author: LEEF read in full

Free tree packs for Schools Author: LEEF Schools Can apply to receive a free tree pack for schools from The Woodlnad Trust. read in full

Speakers Al Gore: Climate-change prophet Author: LEEF Once the US Vice President, then star of An Inconvenient Truth, now Nobel Peace Prize winner, Al Gore found a way to focus the world's attention on climate change. In doing so, he has invented a new medium -- the Keynote movie -- and reinvented himself. read in full

Envision - Young People Making a Difference Author: LEEF It’s their future, help them change it Volunteer two hours a week to help young people improve their communities read in full

'Who Will Save Us?' A new Children's book on Climate Change By Rebecca Morch Author: LEEF 'Who Will Save Us? is positive and up-beat, containing 3 sections, a heartfelt and engaging story about the Antarctic penguins and how climate change is affecting their world, a take positive action section with a comprehensive list on how we can help with climate change issues, and a section detailing where further information on the subject can be found. read in full

The Perfect Easter Gift for Gardeners with GrowVeg.com Author: Jeremy Dore GrowVeg.com – the innovative garden planning website for growing your own fruit and vegetables – has come up with the perfect Easter gift for gardening friends and family: Subscription Gift Vouchers which give the gardener a perfectly planned vegetable patch. read in full

The Bird Book Presented by One Moment in Time Theatre Company Author: Tim webb An inspiring and brilliantly thought through bit of theatre is being offered up to London Schools and Ecology Centres by the Capital’s One Moment In Time Theatre company. read in full

Meanwhile Gardens needs your vote People’s Millions Lottery Award Author: Phil Paulo Meanwhile Gardens have a place in the final stage of the Big Lottery’s People’s Millions Award, where the public vote for the project they want to win a grant for Ł80,000. So we really need your votes on Wednesday, 28 November! read in full

Big School's Birdwatch RSPB Author: Tim Webb The RSPB's Big School's Birdwatch is looming and this year runs from 21 January to 1 February read in full

Increasing the Stag Beetle Population LEEFlet newsletter November 07 Author: Jordan Ihama The QUERCUS Project brought together Primary and Secondary Schools with employees from Lewisham Borough Council in creating habitats at Ladywell Fields. read in full

The Virtual Gardener Has Arrived with GrowVeg.com Author: Jeremy Dore The month of November sees the launch of GrowVeg.com: an innovative garden planning website for growing your own fruit and vegetables. read in full

RHS Campaign for School Gardening Getting Schools Growing! Author: Dr Jacky Chave The RHS Education Department has just launched the ‘Campaign for School Gardening’, Getting Schools Growing. The aim of this Campaign is that by 2012, with RHS help, 80% of UK primary schools will be providing their pupils with hands-on learning opportunities in school grounds to grow plants and garden sustainably. read in full

Play in the Natural Environment London Play Author: Alan Sutton Some of you may have heard Alan speak at the LEEF AGM at Camley Street Natural Park in April. London Play aims for every child in London to have quality, accessible and inclusive play opportunities. We campaign for more and improved play spaces and services, and support playwork in the capital. read in full

The Government Issues a Climate Change Resource Pack Free for all secondary schools in England Author: The Government News Network for DEFRA A resource pack to help teachers and pupils explore and understand the issues surrounding climate change is to be sent to every secondary school in England. The pack is being sent to nearly 5000 secondary schools, and forms part of the Sustainable Schools year of action, which aims to support all schools to become models of sustainable best practice. read in full

Kids to get Nature Education on Health May 2007 Author: The Londoner, News from the Mayor of London Thousands of primary school children in north London are to get free trips to Hampstead Heath to teach them about wildlife. A new education scheme will help 68 schools in Camden and Barnet take their pupils to the heath. read in full

Climate Change in the National Curriculum Changes to KS3 Curriculum to include Climate Change Author: With the News that the National Curriculum is to include Climate Change for Key Stage 3 from September, (please see article from the Guardian), we need to help each other by pooling resources. Please email any useful websites and contacts for resource packs to info@leef.org.uk read in full

LEEF is succesful in gaining funding for a Co-ordinator The Bridge House Trust have awarded LEEF Ł66,000 over 2 years Author: Justin Dillon - LEEF Chairperson Dear LEEF members Good news! The Bridge House Trust, which gives Ł17m each year to charitable projects, has awarded Ł66k to fund a LEEF co-ordinator for two years. Since external funding for the co-ordinator post ran out a few years ago, LEEF has survived on its accumulated funds, through the hard work of its committee members and through the goodwill of countless individuals and members. As Chair, I'd particularly wish to acknowledge and thank Tim Webb and Sharon Clouston who have managed to find time to take on the co-ordinator role part-time. I'd also like to thank Nina Arwitz and Cathy Maund who, with help from other committee members, crafted and drafted the successful bid to Bridge House Trust. Thanks, too, to Bridge House Trust whose wisdom and support we must reward by turning LEEF into a sustainable organisation serving the environmental education needs of its members and the wider population. The role of the co-ordinator will be to support members, increase membership, organise events, create a directory of environmental education resources, and much more. The funding if for a 3/5 fte post for two years. We hope to advertise for the co-ordinator in the New Year and will circulate more news through this group. The co-ordinator will be based at Skyline House, the central office of London Wildlife Trust. We anticipate that the person appointed will be managed by a small management group made up of LEEF committee members. We are very excited about this development; it will allow us to provide much more to all LEEF members as well as to grow the organisation. We hope to see you all at the LEEF Festive Event on December 6. Best wishes Justin Dillon Chair, London Environmental Education Forum read in full

Climate Change in Spotlight at London ‘I Count’ Event The Stop Climate Chaos coalition is to stage ‘I Count’, a huge event in London’s Trafalgar Square, on Saturday 4th November, 2006 at 1pm. Author: Sharon Clouston People who care about climate change are asked to turn out, be counted and demand politicians take action. The event is part of the wider ‘I Count’ campaign to stop climate chaos, launched at the beginning of October. read in full

Making a drama out of EE and ESD A workshop exploring techniques for introducing and developing environmental awareness through drama. The session will involve active participation in drama games and exercises that educators can then use to explore a broad range of issues within the science and ESD curriculum. Author: Sharon Clouston No acting or drama experience required, just a willingness to have fun and have a go! Led by Deborah Newbold who is a professional actress and educator currently teaching drama at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. She recently began teaching at H.H Education centre, where she has been bringing together her theatrical expertise with her interest in environmental education. Date: 03rd October 2006 Time: 4pm to 6pm Location: Hampstead Heath Education Centre, Parliament Hill Building (nearest tube: Kentish Town, Train station: Hampstead Heath and Buses: 214 and C2 to Parliament Hill). Cost: Ł10 for LEEF members/ Ł15 for non-LEEF members For specific information please contact Sam Crosby on Samantha.Crosby@cityoflondon.gov.uk To book a place, please email info@leef.org.uk and/or send a cheque payable to LEEF to Sharon Clouston, LEEF, c/o Sutton Ecology Centre, Festival Walk, Carshalton, Surrey, SM5 3NY. read in full

Nature Detectives The art of Phenology Author: Richard Sylvester OK so we all know that climate changes are happening and are generally accepted to be linked to global warming. As LEEF members will be aware, many signs of seasonal change are occurring earlier or later than usual. In July, the hottest month since records began, blackberries were ripe in many London gardens.Their web-pages www.naturedetectives.org.uk enable schools and individuals to register and record local signs of seasonal change. As with adult recorders, these records contribute to real scientific research about the impact of climate change on trees, woodland and wildlife throughout the UK. On the Nature Detectives site you will find maps of the various species recorded; trees, flowers, birds, insects and amphibians. As well as a range of fun activities and many downloadable educational materials there is also a lot of information and images to aid species identification. This autumn Nature Detectives are running free training courses in London for teachers and environmental educators. These twilight sessions are a chance to explore the web-site, see how it can be used with a class or group, and pick up some free materials. Courses are running in Bexley, Camden, Greenwich, Tower Hamlets and Southwark (tbc). Places are limited, to book you can either email richs [at] onetel.com or call 07833 538143. read in full

Shelf Life Where packaged food comes from - a visual journey of discovery Author: Michael Holland, Head of Education, Chelsea Physic Garden Here's a great idea for linking the food we eat, with the plants we grow for food and packaging waste. All in a child friendly way that is easy to reproduce in a classroom or at a club. read in full

Homes Fit For Birds Creating and studying wildlife gardens in London Author: Tim Webb A new web-based initiative aims to encourage the creation of wildlife gardens while studying their impact. It's a pilot scheme that follows the increasingly popular mass participation citizen science format - ideal for schools and environmental groups but attractive to individuals too. read in full

London Schools Environment Awards Encouraging environmental education and awareness Author: Jamie Brown & Lisa Pook The LSEA are now a fixed event but are still evolving. Jamie Brown, the project coordinator, explains how it all works and what's involved. read in full

Bury Buckets for Beetles How to help save the threatened stag beetle Author: Nida Al-Fulaij The People's Trust for Endangered Species has devised a simple method to help save the endangered stag beetle from extinction. The stag is the UK's biggest beetle and London is one of its key habitats. Burying a bucket full of wood chips, with holes cut in its sides, could replace lost habitat vital for these majestic bugs to survive. read in full

What's in your London Using the outdoor classroom to full effect Author: Tim Webb Species monitoring is a great way of introducing people to a wide range of curriculum linked topics that can be designed to incorporate maths, English, geography, citizenship, art and design, IT and of course science. read in full

Environmental Education For Early Years Practitioners A LEEF workshop taking place this SEPTEMBER [Date tbc] Author: LEEF This event at the Conningham sure start centre in Shepherds Bush will concentrate on environmental education for early years teaching. Event date and full details to be confirmed. Booking is essential, email: info@leef.org.uk heading your email "Early Years". read in full

Boring Botany Rethinking teaching about plants in schools: How can educators make plants visible in inspiring ways? Author: Dawn Sanders Dawn Sanders argues for the importance and relevance of plant science and discusses ways the subject can be made to capture and maintain the attention of students, including using botanical gardens as educational resources. read in full

Education for Sustainable Development - a personal view. Author: Alona Sheridan As we enter the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development LEEF member Alona Sheridan asks whether we're doing enough to equip our young people with the knowledge and skills they need to adopt sustainable lifestyles. read in full

Have you got a favourite online resource? Lesson plans online Author: Tim Webb/Sophie Easteal LEEF has been searching the net for teaching resources and here's one we'd recommend to members working in secondary education. If you have a favourite online resource please let us know and we'll add it to our links list. read in full

UNESCO's Decade of Education for Sustainable Development Can the UK ever deliver education for sustainable development? Author: Tim Webb The UN's Decade of Education for Sustainable Development is underway, but it faces numerous challenges here in the UK. LEEF supports it as a tool for raising awareness, promoting best practice and encouraging change. read in full

Review of Wee Green Fingers Fun Pack, produced by Scottish Natural Heritage Biodiversity Growing for Young Children Author: Tim Webb An engaging and clever children's fun pack for environmental educators and parents. read in full

Inclusion - a case study from CABE Based on the report: What would you do with this space? Author: Tim Webb In February 2005, LEEF held a seminar at the Camley Street Nature Park, presented by Ben Spencer of CABE. His talk focused on how they'd engaged with young people to help develop urban sites and we considered how the methodology could be applied to other projects. read in full

Taking the Sting out of Nettles Author: Sarah Chesters, Education Officer from RHS Garden Rosemoor Weeded out of shrubberies and borders, cursed by adventurous children, the nettle is not perhaps anyone’s first choice for a useful plant, but it is actually invaluable for wildlife and mankind. read in full

London and Essex Ladybird Survey How you can help Author: Tim Webb The 2005 London and Essex Ladybird Survey needs help mapping this valuable species. The UK's most common ladybirds appear to have gone into decline and we're seeing more European species moving into our Capital. read in full

Monitoring and Evaluation Overcoming barriers to effective evaluation Author: Tim Webb In October 2004 LEEF ran a workshop in association with the Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens. Our workshop looked why we need to monitor and evaluate our work and how to go about it. We heard from the experts and then took delegates experiences to help create this guide. read in full

Outdoor Education - The OFSTED view Chief Inspector David Bell's Guardian article Author: David Bell Writing in the The Guardian newspaper, OFSTED inspector David Bell outlines the value of outdoor education at the launch of a new government document on the subject. Picture shows pupils at Oak Lodge on a "walk in the woodland" workshop, June 2004. read in full

Outdoor Education Opportunities and obstacles to teaching outdoors Author: Justin Dillon Hot muggy days leave many educators longing for the great outdoors, so what’s holding YOU back? LEEF’s Justin Dillon is a lecturer in Science Education at Kings College London and Chair of London Wildlife Trust. He’s helped compile a review of 150 research papers on outdoor education and says getting outdoors is well worth the investment of time and energy. read in full

Art in the park How it can help teachers and pupils Author: Sara Bordoley Environmental art in public places is on the increase. They can be beautiful and have an inherent value, but how can they help you as teachers? Some art pieces have recently been completed in Gillespie Park Local Nature Reserve, inner London. By examining their educational role, the value of such work as teaching tools in both their creation and as completed works of art will be explored. read in full

Arts in School Grounds Enriching formal and informal curriculum Author: Sally Haynes One of the most exciting trends recognised by those involved in school grounds development over the past 10 years has been the proliferation of arts activities that acknowledge the value of a school's outdoor space as a place of significance for it's pupils. read in full

BedZED LEEF Professional Interest Group visit to BedZED Author: Nikki Russell, Sutton Ecology Centre A brief description on the design of BedZED (Beddington Zero Energy Development): it is based on proven techniques to minimise the energy demands of homes and offices. South facing homes are fronted with conservatories to capture natural heat and light. Construction materials are thermally massive to store heat and release it slowly, maintaining pleasant and constant internal temperatures. read in full

Poetry in Practice The Berwick Woods Discovery Trail Author: Jane Heath Berwick Woods is a landfill restoration project with a difference. A degraded quarry site just outside Rainham in Essex is being transformed into accessible countryside. Reedbeds around the site are of national importance for wildlife and there is a strong emphasis on nature conservation. read in full

Easy and Educational Activities Author: Sara Bordoley This article features some great ideas that use art to teach about nature. read in full

Arts and Crafts On environmental topics Author: Karen Fry Imagination and creativity play a part in all learning situations and play a major role in the teaching of art. The interplay of skills acquisition, experimentation and the making of a finished product are factors to be balanced by teachers who are sensitive to the children's abilities. The role of Art in the National Curriculum is to develop visual perception and 'visual literacy' through a variety of means. read in full

Did you know...

London's environment is finely balanced. Since 1994, London has lost over 60% of its sparrows and a fifth of its blackbirds.