Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT) and Southern Co-op are joining forces again to help local families get out and about in nature.
Research by the Wildlife Trusts has found that over three quarters of parents were concerned that children don’t spend enough time interacting with nature and wildlife.
Last year’s successful My Wild Neighbourhood campaign saw thousands of free Wildlife Trust outdoor activity guides distributed in Southern Co-op stores. This year’s campaign aims to continue to help families get outside and explore wildness in their neighbourhoods by joining in with one of our many family events, at Lorton Meadows in Weymouth, or on Brownsea Island in Poole harbour.
The campaign is supported by proceeds from the carrier bag charge, distributed by Southern Co-op to local community causes. The funding is helping to support DWT family events and nature clubs which provide young people will regular nature-based activities within local communities, including activities such as investigating animal tracks and signs, and hunting for bugs and butterflies.
DWT’s Communications Officer, Sally Welbourn, said, “DWT has lots of opportunities for children and families to get hands on with wildlife and explore the nature on their doorstep. We believe it’s really important to educate and inspire the next generation of conservationists, so money from the Southern Co-op helps us continue to provide a programme of events to get them started.”
Jessica Hughes, Communications and Community Engagement Manager for Southern Co-op said: “We are delighted to be supporting the Wildlife Trusts’ work to help families get in touch with nature, because we believe in putting funds back in the communities that helped to raise them.”