Eight primary school classes in Derwent Valley discovered new local natural environments, explored them, identified conservation activities, and shared their experiences, earning the John Muir ‘Discover’ Award. The participating schools and the number of pupils involved were:
- Moorside Primary: 21 pupils
- Leadgate Primary: 22 pupils
- Ebchester Primary: 20 pupils
- Benfieldside Primary: 23 pupils
- St Mary’s Primary (Blackhill): 29 pupils
- Collierley Primary: 24 pupils
- St Patrick’s Primary (Dipton): 24 pupils
- Bishop Ian Ramsey Primary: 31 pupils
Six family events were organized, allowing children to achieve the ‘Explorer’ award. These events were also open to the public:
- Thursday, June 1, 2017 – Pont Burn Woods, near Hamsterley Mill – Water Quality Surveys, Tree Identification, and Environmental Art (13 attendees)
- Sunday, June 11, 2017 – Grove Ponds, near The Grove – Pond Dipping and Minibeast Hunting (17 attendees)
- Monday, July 24, 2017 – Watling Woods, Leadgate – Lady Bird Hunt, Sensory Activities, Environmental Treasure Hunts, and Directional Games (7 attendees, poor weather)
- Thursday, July 27, 2017 – Allensford Country Park – Scavenger Hunts, Water Quality Surveys, and Woodland Minibeast Hunts (41 attendees)
- Sunday, October 1, 2017 – Ebchester Station – Raft building, green man trail (14 attendees)
- Sunday, October 15, 2017 – Wildlife trail, leaf mobile, pollinator pom-poms (27 attendees).
