Page 1 - Nomination for Managing Partner Choice Award

Nomination for Managing Partner's Choice Award - Project of the Year

Learning through Nature – The Avenue Country Park
Learning through nature has three key aims, firstly, a programme of inclusive community
activities, enabling participation in learning activities, guided walks, forest schools, practical

conservation and volunteering. Secondly, forest school and nature activity areas,
waymarked trails and interpretation of key site habitats and wildlife to enable outdoor

learning and improved visitor experience and accessibility. Thirdly, wildlife viewing screens
to allow visitors to spend time engaging with and understanding the variety of key habitats
and wildlife present, while avoiding disturbance.

Elements one and two were completely new work at the Avenue Country Park, requiring

initiative and determination to promote the project, engage with new audiences, and break
down barriers to inclusion and work around the restrictions imposed by the Covid pandemic.
Despite all of this our staff have worked so hard and have delivered varied and popular

events, improved site accessibility and empowered people to know and care about their local
wildlife.

'Branching Out' - Bentley Community Woodland
The six-week project offering a range of outdoor skills and activities, offered to newly arrived
asylum seekers in the Doncaster area. This project was very popular and well received by all

involved, and perfectly demonstrated the potential for using nature and green spaces to help
people develop skills, socialise, and feel part of their local community and feel included.

The Natural Neighbourhoods team also organised our first Rural Skills event on the August
Bank Holiday. Across four days over 500 visitors came to Silverdale to experience displays

and taster sessions in blacksmithing, chainsaw sculptures, dry stone walling, scything,
orienteering, foraging as well as meeting their local fire service, police service and many

other displays.

Round House Project- Hassall Green Nature Reserve
Prior to the start of the Green Angels programme at Hassall Green Nature Reserve in 2019

there were no facilities on site for volunteers and visitors. An aspiration of the five year
project was to provide some kind of natural shelter for site users, whether attending training

sessions, community events or simply visiting the Reserve.