The Lime Kiln Wood Trust is keen to encourage local people to enjoy and understand the woodland on their doorstep, and as part of that process, we are beginning to work with Lindale Primary School. The school is only a short walk from Lime Kiln Wood, along a footpath, and teachers are already using the wood as a learning space for the children (you may have noticed some dens being built…). On 15 July, we took this one step further and led a walk around the wood with the older children at the school. We chatted about a range of topics, and answered many questions posed by the children, most of whom were already impressively familiar with several aspects of the natural world. Some of the things we talked about included the age of the wood (and how we know it’s old), the species of plants and animals it contains (and why their biodiversity is important), and how the wood has been useful to people throughout history. Finally, we showed the children round the newly-coppiced areas and explained how the wood is being managed to improve its value as a wildlife habitat. During this walk, we became increasingly impressed with the enthusiasm and knowledge of the Lindale School children, and we are already making plans to continue these contacts. For example, we are planning to assist them during the autumn term with some woodland art, and hope to post some of the resulting work on this website.

Later in the year, Grange Conservation Volunteer Day will be held on Wednesday 13 November, and we hope to involve volunteers, including school-children, in one or more aspects of practical woodland management. If you are interested in getting involved with the Volunteer Day, please contact Tania Crockett at RSPB Leighton Moss tania.crockett@rspb.org.uk .