NatureLinks is a National Lottery funded project providing young people with opportunities to:
Gain skills, knowledge and experience connecting with nature and wildlife
Make new friends and enjoy a range of nature-based activities
Enhance wellbeing by spending time outdoors
We offer FREE sessions, courses and work experience for 14-25 yr olds
There are plenty of ways you can get involved depending on your areas of interest, whether you like practical, scientific, creative or media related activities
"It has given me new skills and a newer outlook on life which has benefitted my mental health"
“It has given me major opportunities to do things I would never have experienced otherwise”
“Perfect low-pressure fun out in nature!”
“I really enjoyed the social aspect and to hang out with friends and make new friends"
Upcoming dates for the diary
Sat 27th Sept, 11am-3pm - NatureLinks Open Day - Kicking off Year 4!
Thurs 2nd Oct, 4pm - 6.15pm - Social Media Content + Photography course start
Sat 4th Oct, 10am - 1pm - Practical Conservation session @ Cockshut Wetlands
Weds 15th Oct, 4pm - 6pm - Creature Culture project session - Habitat creation
Tues 21st Oct, 4pm-6pm - Monthly meet up (Every 3rd Tuesday of the month)
Sat 15th Nov, 10am - 1pm - Practical Conservation session @ Landport Bottom
Tues 18th Nov, 4pm- 6pm - Monthly meet up - Nature News project
Sat 22nd Nov, 11am - 1pm - Ecological Discovery Course start - Fantastic Fungi
Sat 6th Dec, 11am -1pm - Nature News project session
Sat 7th Dec, 10am - 1pm - Practical Conservation session @ The Railway Land
Tues 16th Dec, 4pm - 6pm - Monthly meet up - Solstice firemaking + celebration
TO BOOK YOUR PLACE ON ANY OF THE ABOVE OR FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT ALI :
BY EMAIL: naturelinks@railwaylandproject.org
BY TEXT: 07579 852 961
FREE courses for 14-25 yr olds
Ecological Discovery Course
A series of 6 practical wildlife discovery sessions led by experts
Gain invaluable ecological experience and knowledge - great for your CV
Limited places BOOKING NOW!
Sat 22nd Nov, 11am -1pm - Fantastic Fungi
Sat 14th Mar, 11am - 1pm - Spring Plants and their uses
Sat 28th Mar, 3pm - 5pm - Birdsong Bird Life
Sat 11th Apr, 11am - 1pm - Freshwater Life
Sat 25th Apr, 11am - 1pm - Incredible Insects
Fri 8th May, 8pm - 10pm - Brilliant Bats
BOOK YOUR PLACE NOW!
BY EMAIL: naturelinks@railwaylandproject.org
BY TEXT: 07579 852 961 .
Work Experience and Youth Volunteering
Whether you are looking for work experience for a particular week, need a certain amount of volunteering hours for your course or award, or a placement, then we will do our best to help. We can create a tailor-made schedule for you depending on your needs and interests.
If you would like to be invited for an informal interview to discuss what we can arrange for you, please contact Ali:
BY EMAIL: naturelinks@railwaylandproject.org
BY TEXT: 07579 852 961
"I learnt a lot about the environment and how land can be managed for wildlife's welfare, and it led me to change my path towards zoology which I am really excited to study in future" - Railway Land work experience participant
Current projects to get involved in
PRACTICAL CONSERVATION
We run regular practical conservation sessions on three sites in Lewes - the Railway Land, the Cockshut Wetlands and Landport Bottom. There is always a variety of tasks for everyone to enjoy, from coppicing to scrub bashing, planting trees and wildflowers, or repairing steps and fences.
CREATURE CULTURE
The world needs more creepy crawlies! This project will create more habitats for our precious invertebrate species alongside providing opportunities to discover and explore their way of life. We will be celebrating, promoting and supporting all small crawly creatures in a variety of creative ways.
THE SIGNAL BOX
Arts + Wellbeing Space
Last year we renovated the old signal box and now it is ready to be used and enjoyed! The young people envisioned the space as being perfect for art and wellbeing practices. We will be holding a variety of sessions led by local artists and craftspeople that might include painting in nature, weaving and , natural crafts, woodworking, creative writing etc. and making the most of this wonderful new space.
NATURE NEWS
This project will document and share all the wonderful things that are happening on the nature reserve throughout the year. Whether it's the mullet arriving or the marsh frogs mating, participants will gain valuable skills in nature photography, social-media content creation, creative storytelling/writing and nature observation. There will be opportunities to publish online and in our newsletter.
Underpinning the project is the concept of Blue and Green Infrastructure and the many benefits it brings to our local communities.
Blue and Green Infrastructure - What is it?
BLUE – refers to the water body elements in our local environment. Examples include: rivers, lakes, canals, reservoirs, ponds, rainwater collection butts and raingardens.
GREEN – refers to the land-based elements: Trees, fields, parks, woodland, hedgerows, street verges, soil, community gardens, window boxes, compost heaps, green walls and roofs to name a few.
INFRASTRUCTURE – is how these elements are designed to interconnect within a multifunctional network providing multiple uses and benefits such as:
Increased biodiversity, severe weather adaptation, carbon capture, active travel facilities, wildlife habitat and wellbeing.
