‘Wild’ former Cub Scout delighted by badge launch

Tuesday 29th May 2012

© Jason Gaskell

Jason Gaskell, Director of Operations at Northumberland Wildlife Trust and former Cub Scout is delighted with the launch of a new Cub Scout Naturalist Activity Badge at the Natural History Museum’s Big Nature Day.

Three of the UK’s largest nature organisations have joined forces to inspire a new generation of nature-loving Scouts from across the UK and the resources pack which accompanies the badge has been created by the big three - Natural History Museum, The Wildlife Trusts and the National Trust to help Scout volunteers to deliver exciting programmes in a flexible way.

Available online from today at www.nhm.ac.uk, the resource pack offers many challenges to bring Cub Scouts closer to nature, whether in an urban or rural setting. The activities will transform Cubs into bug hunters, bird detectives and tree trackers, getting them out into gardens, parks, and nature reserves managed by The Wildlife Trusts and the National Trust. To earn the Badge, Cubs must complete three tasks from a choice of six, including:

  • Surveying a local hedgerow to find out which plants and animals live there
  • Making a bird feeder to put in their garden then recording which birds visit the garden
  • Taking part in a pond dip to identify the different pond invertebrates.

Cub Scouts will also need to monitor the quality of their local environment
using resources developed through the Open Air Laboratories (OPAL) programme, an England-wide initiative that has already helped more than
half a million people to explore their local green spaces and learn more
about UK wildlife.

Jason, who was a member of the 2nd Cramlington Cub Scout Group 30
years ago said: “A century after naturalist Charles Rothschild started the organisation now known as The Wildlife Trusts, I am delighted that there is to be a new Cub Scout Naturalist Activity Badge.

“Working towards the badge will be great fun and it will be a great excuse to get outdoors and get muddy and wet without getting into trouble and, if they enjoy nature as Cubs and come to value it, then it will give them a lifetime of pleasure. The more people that recognise the value of nature to them in future, the better for all of us.”

Tagged with: Wildlife Watch