CHILDREN can go wild this month with free membership and entry to a nature event where a wide range of activities is on offer.
Children can go river dipping while investigating aquatic insects and fish and there will be opportunities to trap moths and go sweep netting to discover grasshoppers, ladybirds, and spiders in a grassland habitat.
Salisbury and District Natural History Society, (SDNHS) have made it a mission to encourage children from age six to students up to the age of 21 and is offering free membership to the society.
Chair of the society, and well-known speaker on wildlife, Pete Thompson said, “This is a very exciting moment for us.
“Young people have a wonderful ability to absorb knowledge like a sponge and we hope by taking up our free membership offer, it will benefit their health and mental well-being.”
To launch the new scheme, the society is offering a free taster morning at the 54-acre River Bourne Community Farm in Laverstock, Salisbury this month.
Participants will also be able to witness and possibly hold some of the 2,500 colourful and sometimes, large moths that inhabit the UK. There will also be a microscope on hand which will enable children to see the close-up details of tiny insects or moths.
Read more: Feel the Verve
Peter said: “Nature and the natural environment is a whole new world that can be enormously beneficial and fascinating. Come to our launch. Give it a go and see what floats your boat.
He added: We hope that by becoming a junior or student member of the society, it will help to trigger a life-long love affair with nature and perhaps, the impetus to develop an exciting career path in the future.
Read more: Inside the Salisbury Giant
Izzy Fry, 17, became a natural history enthusiast and has now established her own photographic website devoted to wildlife.
She said: “Joining the society has been a game-changer for me and I just love being involved. It has also helped me to decide on a future career path and a degree course.
“I would recommend joining the society to all young people as there are many experts working in a wide range of wildlife fields and they are all very enthusiastic to answer questions and to share their knowledge.”
Read more: Salisbury River Park Project update
The new initiative is timely because schools will start to teach a new GCSE in natural history in 2025 and by joining the society, it will help them to learn about the natural environment in a fun way.
Regular field trips are also planned.
The event will take place at the River Bourne Community Farm in Laverstock, Salisbury, on Thursday 24th August 2023. It will run from 9.30am to 12.30pm.
For more information, go to the Salisbury District Natural History website salisburynaturalhistory.com
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here