LEARNING THROUGH NATURE
Since the 1970s we have been providing nature-based learning opportunities for schools, community groups and the general public. This is work we continue to this day, through courses, individual and corporate volunteering, arts events or just interpretation of what we have on our sites. From no-dig gardening to making buildings from recycled materials, soil chromatography to stories about trees, there may be something for you!
Among our current activities is a partnership with the United Nations Association, East Kent Schools Together and Sussex-based Furnace Brook CiC delivering ecosystem restoration learning based both on our Pines Gardens site and land managed by schools themselves.
If you would like to know more about what’s on, upcoming courses or events, you can sign up to our e-newsletter here The Bay Trust (subscribepage.io).
did you know?
We started working with schools – particularly from inner London – in the 1970s and that residential school weeks were run at our Rippledown site through to the late 2010s, with activities taking place also on our Steps Bank site. We still work with school groups on Steps Bank.
SCHOOLS
We offer space for a range of curriculum and age-focused outdoor learning opportunities.
Examples of the activities schools have worked with us on include biochar production, foraging, identifying flora and fauna of chalk landscapes, introductions to marine ecology and soil chromatography.
Whilst we have a long history of work with schools from inner London, much of our current schools-focused work comes through a partnership with the East Kent Schools Together Partnership. However, no matter where you may be we are willing to discuss how we might help you!
Both the Pines Garden and adjacent Steps Bank function as outdoor classrooms, and we have set-aside space and structures within each to help manage any day you might spend with us.
If you would like to know more, or just discuss some ideas then please do get in touch with us at [email protected]
Lifelong Learning
Whether you want to learn something new, or run a course or session yourself, we have space across The Pines Gardens where this can happen.
We can also accommodate corporate volunteering, where you help deliver some of our work and may learn why it is important – from wildflower meadow creation to renovation of outdoor teaching spaces.
A wide range of courses for people of all ages are run at The Pines Garden and The Pines Calyx. Some of these are run by us but most simply use our sites as an outdoor classroom or a nice-space to be. Recent courses have included an introduction to permaculture, cooking with foraged foods and principles of sustainable building design.
We also run and host tours of The Pines Garden, where you can learn anything from why we have a Sir Christopher Wren-designed building facade functioning as an ornate planter to where birds crossing the English Channel can first drink freshwater.
If you would like to know more about courses that are to run at The Pines Garden or Pines Calyx, please do sign-up for our free e-newsletter here.
If you would like to run a course, taster session or tour at The Pines Garden or Pines Calyx please contact us to discuss. We would be happy to hear from you!
If you would like to know more about corporate volunteering opportunities (for example, what we can offer for your organisation), please get in touch with us at [email protected]
FEELING PECKISH?
The Pines Tea Room is open to the public, welcoming regulars and new guests who may be here for lunch, a light bite, drink or piece of cake.