Dib deb deb, dob dob dob! The National Trust have got together with The Wildlife Trust and National History Muesum to co sponsor a new Naturalist Activity Badge. The badge, which was launched at the museum’s Big Nature Day last month, will be awarded to cub scouts when they complete three of these six activities –
- Find out which plants and animals live in a specific hedgerow
- Record which birds visit their home made bird feeder
- Identify the different water creatures from a pond
- Learn the names of trees and make tree bark rubbings pictures
- Become an expert in the life cycle of butterflies, moths or frogs
- Collect and identify at least six different insects
They all sound like a lot of fun to me! I was in the cubs, but don’t really remember what badges I received, it was a while ago. I’m pretty sure I got a lot of sporting badges, as that’s the only reason I joined! Sorry Akala, but this Yellow Woggle was only their for the football and cricket.
Philip Broadbent Yale from the National Trust said –
The Trust is very pleased to be supporting this Badge. It is a wonderful way for young people to discover more about the outdoors and experience nature first-hand. We hope it will inspire them to explore open spaces around them, including the many areas of coast and countryside cared for by the National Trust.
The National Trust will also forming links with local Cub Scout packs, allowing them to share not only their expertise, but also allow them to earn their Naturalist Badge within some of their famous wildlife spots. An information pack created by the Natural History Museum and the other co sponsors is now available to help cubs scouts and their leaders tackle the badge.
Lucy Carter, from The Natural History Museum, said –
It’s really exciting for us to work with The Wildlife Trusts and National Trust to get young people outdoors exploring nature and discovering the incredible variety of plants, animals and fungi right on their doorstep. The resource pack sets Cubs on the road to becoming naturalists and shows them how to take part in surveys that help our scientists with real research.
Sounds like an excellent scheme where children not only learn about nature, but will also be given the opportunity to study in some of the countries most majestic venues and countryside. As long as they take a football with them, I’m in!
If you would like to learn a bit more about with the National Trust’s work, why not check out our designated charity page. Here you can learn more about the National Trust and their membership scheme, which offers free entry to hundreds of heritage sights across the country, as well as loads of other goodies.
