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"
Current projects to get involved in
THE HEART OF REEDS
The Heart of Reeds is our much loved landscape scale art installation, and a thriving wildlife habitat – but it needs some care! We will work out the best ways to look after it, do lots of practical work to help the creatures who call this rare habitat their home, and share what we are doing through art, social media and celebration events.
THE SIGNAL BOX
The old signal box on The Railway Land is feeling a little tired and unloved...
We will be redesigning and renovating both the interior and exterior of the building to bring it back to life so that it can be used as a wellbeing and arts space for people to enjoy again.
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.
ART TRAIL AND FILM
In collaboration with Brighton University media department, local artists and media professionals, we will be doing walks and workshops to explore how we connect with landscape and how to interpret that to share with others. This will lead to an exhibition and creation of an interpretative art trail in the Eastbourne Downland.
Upcoming dates for the diary
Fri 25th Apr, 10am - 1pm - Heart of Reeds Surveying @ Railway Land
Tues 29th Apr, 4 - 6pm - Signal Box Project - Final touches session
Sun 4th May, 10am - 1pm - Practical Conservation @ Railway Land
Sat 17th May, 10am - 1pm - Practical Conservation @ Landport Bottom
Tues 20th May, 4 - 6pm - Monthly meet up - Art + Film Trail project
Sat 31st May, 10am - 12pm - Wildlife Discovery Series - Pollinators
Sat 31st May, 12pm - 6pm - Signal Box Project - Mural Painting part 1
Sun 1st Jun, 12pm - 6pm - Signal Box Project - Mural Painting part 2
Sat 7th June, 11am - 1pm - Wildlife Discovery Series - tbc
Tues 17th Jun, 4 - 6pm - Monthly meet up - Signal Box celebration
Sat 5th Jul, 10am - 5pm - NL Summer Summit - Trip to Rye Harbour
Sat 2nd Aug, 10am - 1pm - Practical Conservation @ Cockshut Stream
Thur 28th Aug, 7.30-9.30pm - Wildlife Discovery Series - Bat Watch
Sat 27th Sept, 11am - 3pm - NL Open Day - Kicking off Year 4!
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
Mural Painting Weekend - FREE 2 day workshop
An opportunity to learn from local professional artists
Limited places BOOKING NOW!
Saturday 31st May & Sunday 1st June 12.00pm - 6.00pm @ The Linklater Pavilion
Join us to learn mural painting techniques with professional artists. We will be painting the view from the inside of the signal box onto the outside of it. Enjoy mixing colours, painting and creating a piece of history. You can book either one of the days or both. Food and drinks provided.
Contact Ali to book your place asap! - Please state which day/s you wish to attend
BY EMAIL: naturelinks@railwaylandproject.org
BY TEXT: 07579 852 961
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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
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.
