Trees in the Ground and Hope in hearts : Children, Families and CTNs

'Planting trees in the ground and Hope in hearts: Connecting children and families to Community Tree Nurseries'

This free workshop open to those who are involved in CTNs or looking to start one, will take place at the Children's Forest's Community Tree Nursery, a place where young people are actively encouraged to strengthen their connections to Nature and trees, inspiring a sense of purpose and hope. The key aim of this workshop for adults is to help inspire and share examples of how to engage with families and children in CTNs.

The workshop will be held at the Children's Forest Community Tree Nursery, which is within the Spring Rise Community Gardens, Emerson College, Forest Row. There is covered space should it rain, compost toilets and refreshments and lunch will be provided. 'The Children’s Forest is a movement to support children and their communities to reconnect with nature and plant forests for the future generations'. (https://childrensforest.earth/). The Community Tree Nursery is a key part of the organisation's work and involves families and children in different aspects of growing trees. A day of experiential learning including songs, games, stories and nature connection practices that serve to educate and connect children and families to trees, their local landscape and service to future generations. Come to enjoy and learn some of the practices we use at Children’s Forest to run our tree nursery with children and families.

Outline of the day:

• Welcome and introductions
• Nature games and activities that teach and connect
• The CTN: what we grow and how we do it, including harder to source and grow species and involving children and families throughout the year.
• Lunch (vegetarian and vegan included)
• Greet the Trees: a wander in the nearby landscape to meet some of the trees we gather seed from in the autumn. Sing to the trees, learn some tree lore and ecology, the honourable harvest: harvesting tree seed with respect and gratitude.
• Tree craft and story
• Q&A and discussion
• Close

There will be particular focus on harder to source and grow species including: Guelder Rose, SL Lime, Holly, Spindle, Yew, Whitebeam and Wild Service.

The workshop will be facilitated by Pippa Johns and Anna Richardson.

Pippa runs the Forest From Seed Project and manages the Tree Nursery where she facilitates children to grow native trees from local seed, for planting Children’s Forests. She has taught Permaculture for over 20 years and is passionate about inspiring people to develop their own connection to land. She has been a tutor for the Permaculture Diploma and developed her own courses in ecological gardening and connection gardening.

Anna founded the Children’s Forest from her deep passion to connect children to nature through creativity and reverence for life. She has 20 years experience as a nature mentor and forest school leader, working with children of all ages and mentoring adults in plant lore, foraging, nature connection and bushcraft. She has co-authored two books: Learning with Nature and The Children’s Forest.This workshop will take place at the Children's Forest's Community Tree Nursery, a place where young people are actively encouraged to strengthen their connections to Nature and trees. The key aim of this workshop for adults is to help inspire and share examples of how to engage with families and children in CTNs.

Accomodation nearby:

As you may be travelling from a distance and if you are requiring accommodation close to the site, please contact Hiromi Kato Emerson College Reception 01342 822 238 for details on the rooms they have available to book on the site. https://emerson.org.uk/