This half term, children are invited to come and experience nature up-close at Dorset Wildlife Trust’s (DWT) Lorton Meadows and the Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre, with fun wildlife events including ‘wildlife detectives’ and ‘I love wildlife’.
In addition to the usual programme of family events at Lorton Meadows reserve, this half term the Community Conservation Officers are introducing a brand new activity for unaccompanied 8 to 11 year olds – ‘Wildlife Detectives’ (£4/child). Young people will be able to use stealth and skill to discover the creatures lurking at Lorton, and become a Wildlife Detective.
Sam Dallimore, Community Conservation Officer said: “Spring is just starting to make its presence felt on the reserve and it’s a great time of year to get outdoors – whatever the weather. We’ll be exploring the reserve, in all its muddy glory, mixing smelly cocktails, (which we won’t be drinking!), and we’ll also be getting creative with natural art and burning off some energy with wildlife games. We’d love to see you if you’re aged 8 to 11 – just meet the Lorton Conservation Centre at 10.30am on 20thFebruary – and don’t forget your wellies!”
If you have younger children, then the Lorton Caterpillar Kids family events are just the thing (£2/ child, adults free). On Wednesday 19thFebruary, the ‘Mini Nature Reserves’ event will give children the opportunity to explore the woods and meadows, and create a mini nature reserve to take home. On Friday 21stFebruary, Caterpillar Kids ‘Boggarts of the Wild Woods’ will be exploring the woods, making boggarts for the trees and wood elf puppets to take home.
This valentine’s weekend, on Saturday 15thFebruary, the Chesil Beach Centre will be showing the love for wildlife, by inviting children to take part in activities to create ‘treats’ for wildlife in your garden, and give nature a helping hand. The event will start at 12pm – 3pm and includes a wide range of activities such as making fat balls for birds to feed on, creating seed bombs out of egg shells, and activities to encourage butterflies into your garden. Crafts range between 50p and £3.
If you would like to join an event at Lorton Meadows, please phone 01305 816546 and book a place to avoid disappointment. All half term events start at 10.30am and finish at 12.30pm. Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre is on Lorton Lane, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. For more information, visit: https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/lorton_meadows_reserve
For more information about Chesil Beach Centre events, phone 01305 206191 or visit:
https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/chesil-centre. The Centre is halfway along the causeway between Weymouth and Portland, postcode DT4 9XE.
