I’m pretty chuffed with assessor’s feedback so far on my Forest School Portfolio! Only Unit 3 and my Handbook to complete in the next 4 weeks. This has been a chunky bit of work to manage with a day job and family commitments, but it’ll be well worth it in the end! Shout out to all the #forestschoolleader s! #forestschool #forestschoolleadertraining #hackneyoutdoors #outdoorlearningforkids #outdoorlearning #outdooreducation #portfoliocareer https://www.instagram.com/p/CdILzDeIGy8/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Take back your mind, live aligned, choose love and always be kind! 💗 Comment "YES" if you agree and tag 2 friends who would appreciate this post.⁠ . . #homeschoolkids #birchtree #unschoolingfamily #workfromhomemom #forestschool #birch #unschool #homeschoolmom #birchwater #unschooling #unschoolingmom #homeschoolingmom #homeschoolmama #homesteading #forestschoolleader #unschoolingadventures #homeschoolfun #forestschools #workfromhomeparents #radicalunschooling #birchsap #homesteadlife #homesteadingskills #forage #foragedfoods #forestschoolideas #workfromhomedad #unschoolinglookslikethis #homeschoolpreschool #homesteadingmama (at Canadian Shield) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-42R4qpVbD/?igshid=hgfcopzd47vr

4-hour outdoor-only #Chicago #daycare exposes tots to an #adventureland in the woods (unless it’s less than 15 degrees) but Forest Playschool is also raising concerns about #firesafety, cleanliness and the use of public land for private use. More on this fight only on @CBSChicago: https://cbsloc.al/2FGJNMH #petersonpark #chicagooutdoors #naturelovers #nature #daycamp #forest #forestschool #forestschools #forestschoolleader #forestschooling #thegreatoutdoors http://bit.ly/2QWprAR

I have dirty fingers but sharp knives! Thanks to Stokey’s @kitchenprovisions for tonight’s knife sharpening workshop, where I learnt to use my Suehiro combi #whetstone, feel for a burr, strop & and also sharpen a curved blade (my #opinelmushroomknife ❤️). Time to get whittling with the #moraknives! (And, come to think of it, sharpen my kitchen knives) #knivesofinstagram🔪 #knives #knifesharpening #whetstonesharpening #forestschool #whittling #forestschoolleader #outdooreducation #stokenewington #mushroomforaging https://www.instagram.com/p/Cc3bahLIOLx/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

I’ve been writing about methods of sustainable woodland management in my #forestschoolportfolio today (Unit 5) and was reminded by this timely post from @wildwoodtrustuk how the reintroduction of native animals such as Bison can help boost biodiversity! I’ll be pinching that example then 😃#forestschoolleader #forestschoolleadertraining #forestschool Posted @withregram • @wildwoodtrustuk Today is #EarthDay2022 and to save our planet we need to act fast! It’s going to take all of us. All in. Everyone accounted for, and everyone accountable. A partnership for the planet. We all have to do our bit and so at Wildwood we have launched our Wilder Blean project in partnership with @kentwildlife . We will be releasing a small herd of Bison into Blean woods near Canterbury, funded by players of @peoplespostcodelottery . The project will promote stronger habitats by restoring natural processes that are able to withstand the current environmental crisis and species decline, and in the long run, reverse it. In the UK, lack of woodland management is one of the eight biggest drivers of species decline. Wilder Blean aims to bring transformational change through a controlled trial with bison; a missing keystone species that is able to naturally manage woodlands. In addition to consuming great quantities of grasses and feeding on shrubs, bison influence the vegetation by de-barking trees, breaking open dense undergrowth (by literally walking right through it), and creating bare soil patches (by dust bathing), which allows pioneer plants to move in. In addition, bison disperse nutrients (dung) and seeds across their territory. Breeding birds use bison winter fur as nesting material, and magpies follow the bison herd to pick off ticks and other parasites. To put it scientifically the bison are a catalyst for biodiversity. In 2007, bison were introduced into the Kraansvlak coastal dune reserve in the Netherlands. This project has been a great success: the bison herd is thriving and – thanks to the bison and other grazers – the landscape has regained the dynamic and varied dune formations it used to be known for. #earthday #conservation #britishwildlife #biodiversity https://www.instagram.com/p/CcpurKooaMU/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

I’ve been studying the differences between coniferous and broadleaf woodland today for my #forestschool portfolio. I don’t see many conifers these days (I used to live in Norfolk so was surrounded by plantations but not so much now). Anyway I popped out to admire the mahoosive #swampcypress tree in @abneyparkn16 (which is actually deciduous rather rather tha evergreen). This tree is I believe a veteran of the park and also looks to be one of the tallest trees. I wanted to look at the needles but I’d need a ladder! #30dayswild trees #conifer #cypress #treesofinstagram #abneypark #forestschoolleader (at Abney Park Cemetery) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQgboibolGq/?utm_medium=tumblr

Today I did a #forestschoolleader rite of passage and made my own mallet! Working with other trainees under @thehiveoutdoors @earthwildlondon I sawed a length of Hazel wood, shaped a handle using a bill hook and then whittled it down with a sheath knife, before using it for a spot of #hapazome leaf printing. It was fab to make something with my hands from wood - I’ll now be adding this to my campervan kit to knock the awning tent pegs in! #forestschoolleader #forestschoolleadertraining #forestschoolideas #forestschool #outdooreducation #outdoorlearning #stavehillecologicalpark #getoutdoors #sustainableliving #nature #natureart #woodworking #hackneyoutdoors #maths #engineering #stem (at Stave Hill) https://www.instagram.com/p/COTBRr7n3J-/?igshid=6q7h0jz0c26a

🌤Fun in the beautiful sunshine yesterday (while some had snow🌨) at a very busy Greenwich Park. Stunning. 🦌So now you know what reindeers do the rest of the year.🤣 Tell me what 1 of your goals are for this year, I'd love to hear. #royalboroughofgreenwich #greenwichpark #blackheathlondon #raindeer #raindeers #animals #parks #snow #december #forestschool #woods #childrenoutdoors #learningoutdoors #learningforlife #learningforkids #learningforkindergarten #childminding #ofstedregisteredchildminder #fosterparkschool #fostercareadoption #identity #grass #grateful #freshair #montessori #forestschoolleader #childminderuk #youngchildren #parklife #parkrunuk (at Greenwich Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CJlBnb8rv7A/?igshid=8jxunwqv94yy