OASES worked with the Durham Wildlife Trust to deliver the John Muir Award through the Improving Life Chances by Improving Green Spaces project funded by the Bishop Auckland and Shildon AAP and The NINEVEH Charitable Trust.
OASES worked with five schools in the Bishop Auckland and Shildon area. The schools involved were:
- St Chad’s RCVA Primary School (Year 4-6, 29 children and 1 member of staff)
- St Wilfrid’s RCVA Primary School (Year 5-6, 30 children and 2 members of staff)
- Escomb Primary School (Year 4-5, 28 children and 1 member of staff)
- Victoria Lane Academy (Year 3-5, 28 children and 1 member of staff)
- St Joseph’s RCVA Primary School (Year 3-5, 25 children plus 16 children who benefited from the explore sessions.)
During the summer and autumn terms, all 5 schools benefitted from the project. OASES delivered an introductory assembly to all schools before commencing the project. Children within these schools have completed Discover, Explore, Conserve and Share activities within a local ‘wild space’ to enable them to gain the John Muir Award. The ‘Conserve’ elements of the award were supported by Durham Wildlife Trust. All of the children who took part in the whole project have now received their ‘John Muir Discovery’ Award.
A water quality survey was undertaken at Auckland Deer Park, bird feeders were made and left out for the birds there and a wildflower meadow was planted.
Witton Park was cleared of litter and wildflower seeds were planted, St Chad’s RCVA Primary School benefitted from tree planting.
Westerton Woods was made into a more bird friendly place as the litter was cleared and bird feeders were made. The school groups also made bird boxes here and they were put up in Victoria Lane Academy and St Joseph’s RCVA Primary School’s grounds.
Litter was removed from the Escomb Lake area and wildflower seeds were sown to create extra minibeast habitats and higher biodiversity in the area.
