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Here is a place where sand lizards shuffle in spring sunshine, dragonflies hawk over lily topped pools, where deer tread dew-soaked meadows, nightjars serenade the sunsets, dolphins frolic and rare orchids shiver in the crisp sea breeze. This corner of southern England is incredibly rich in wildlife of all kinds due to its great diversity of habitats, coastal aspect and proximity to mainland Europe. Thus Purbeck is not only a magnet for naturalists, but also a destination for thousands of young people who come to taste these riches for the first time. Against a backdrop of rolling hills, yellow beaches, bruised heathlands and spectacular cliffs, they are able to safely enjoy access to this globally unique environment on a network of nature reserves, country parks and estates, and over a web of some of the best footpaths anywhere in Britain. From a bevy of Sites of Special Scientific Interest to England's only natural World Heritage Site this has to be the best outdoor classroom anywhere in Britain!
This Teachers’ Guide is designed to outline some of the key features and opportunities this resource has to offer. It spans the many interests of the partners in this project from heritage to natural history and I hope that it will excite teachers and pupils alike. Once stirred into action I hope they will explore the area with keen, fresh eyes and realise its great value and the need to protect and conserve the people, places and wildlife of Purbeck for future generations of young Darwins and Attenboroughs. So come on, get down on your knees, peer through the heather and spy on the secret antics of those sand lizards. In May the males are like little jewelled dragons. Ooohh! . . . Quite literally brilliant!
Chris Packham
Naturalist and Broadcaster |