Most of us don’t get the chance to plant trees since we don’t have sufficient garden space so when our local Alnwick Garden advertised sapling planting, it sounded like an interesting outdoor family activity.
We went along, wrapped warm against the cold on a bitter February day. As well as tree planting we discovered new ways to get families and children outdoors through citizen science projects; easy nature study projects around the UK.
In Alnwick Garden’s craft yurt the adults received details on how to plant a tree while the kids made badges and crafted family trees. I chatted with Jonathan Swift who works for OPAL (Open Air Laboratories), partnering this particular tree planting initiative.
Enjoying tasty shoots of freshly picked wild garlic, or Ramsons
What is Citizen Science?
Citizen science projects are a way for the public to get involved with scientific study for the long term benefit of the population.
They are simple and easy, free of charge surveys and studies that families, kids, groups etc can participate in around the country. They include various nature surveys and the companies usually provide participants with easy-to-follow information packs. Once completed, you report your findings for scientific analysis by the provider.
We had enormous fun growing space seeds (rocket seeds that had been on the International Space Station with Tim Peake) which was open to children throughout the UK. You can read all about the project and how we got to meet Tim here.
Citizen science projects are brilliant for kids during school holidays, for Forest Schools groups, youth groups, home educators, Scouts and Guides.
This one was provided by OPAL whose data builds a picture of our natural environment and anyone can take part at any time.
Outdoor Nature Explorers
At the gardens, we selected a Tree Health Survey pack, including a field guide, tree and ‘most unwanted’ guides and the Air Survey pack with lichen ID guide and mini magnifier.
OPAL’s Tree Health and Air Survey packs, available online
Both surveys are done when trees are in leaf as tar spots and lichen growth indicate air quality.
Other OPAL surveys include flatworms, bugs, water, biodiversity, soil and earthworm, climate, metal, brownfield and pollination – something for everyone.
Thanks to Jonathan Swift for his inspiration. Start your citizen science project at OPAL Surveys.
Having been thoroughly inspired for summer science projects it was time to plant trees. We headed out into a snow shower but the cold didn’t deter my wildling and her friend.
They chose from a selection of native species – birch, beech, oak – and picked memorable spaces in the woods to dig in their saplings. Jonathan suggested naming the trees. Caroline choose Ivy – from a piece growing nearby – which became Io (Ivy Oak) as she loves the moons of Jupiter. See our Jupiter planet project. Her friend’s tree was Geoff! The girls love that they can visit the trees as they grow.
Caroline planting ‘Io’!!
Two cold, happy girls, two cold, happy saplings, taking root as I type.
Our ID photo of the girls with their saplings so we can return in future
Encourage your kids to go wildlife spotting without a survey participation with these suggestions in my family wildlife spotting guide.
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More Citizen Science Projects
There are many citizen science surveys, from seed growing with the International Space Station (read more in Kids Space Odyssey) to seaweed or dragonfly watches.
- Annual Big Garden Birdwatch (January) Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
- Garden Birdwatch (year-round) British Trust for Ornithology
- Jellyfish, Shark, Turtle & Underwater Survey Marine Conservation Society
- Big Seaweed Search Natural History Museum
- National Plant Monitoring Scheme various sponsors
- Dragonfly Watch British Dragonfly Society
- Butterfly monitoring Butterfly Conservation UK or
- Big Butterfly Count (July)
- Bumblebee survey Bumblebee Conservation Trust
- Freshwater habitat surveys Freshwater Habitats Trust
- Garden Watch – BBC Springwatch
Service providers, to add your citizen science or nature watch project please get in touch.
#CountryKids
What a great way to encourage learning and fresh air fun, the girls look like they really enjoyed it. It’s great that they can go back and visit their trees in the years to come, maybe even one day take their families to see them too! I look forward to seeing some summery science projects later on in the year!
Thanks for sharing the fun with me on #CountryKids.
We were disappointed we’ve got to wait until summer to do the surveys we chose so will do some of the others in the list in the meantime!
What a great idea, I had no idea there was such a thing as a Dragonfly Watch either. Going to investigate a few of these for the future #CountryKids
Nor me! Hope you find something fun. Thanks for reading xx
I always wanted to taste wild garlic here. I always love the ones at home. Amazing smell and just the best taste. This is such an amazing activity that you can do with kids! I have yet to bring my son to proper woods. #countrykids
Ramsons are delicious aren’t they, we eat them raw from the plant and cooked in all sorts of things. Thanks for reading
*woodland area here called Weston Woods.
(Sorry for some reason I accidentally posted even if im not yet finish with my comment.)
What a great idea to get kids outside and engaged with nature. I am sure the girls will love visit their trees and seeing them grow. Also links perfectly in with the school science curriculum.
It’s great isn’t it, they can even come back as adults and show their kids their trees. Thanks for reading
What a great selection of nature projects to get involved in – I will need to see if there are similar initiatives in France. Getting kids tree planting is such a great activity and I know from personal experience what a positive impact it can have. In fact you have reminded me that I had planned to write a blog about this. Thank you! The next #goinggreen opens on Easter Monday so do pop by to have a look at the posts even if you don’t have anything to add. And Happy Easter!
Thanks Rosie, I’ll definitely pop over for a read. Have a great Easter and thanks for hosting your fab linkies
This sounds awesome 😃
It’s great fun and educational too. Well worth choosing some of the projects to participate in. Thanks for reading