Awards encourage children to engage with wildlife

Primary schools around the island are encouraged to take part

Primary school children across the Isle of Man are being encouraged to "engage with the environment around them" in a new Manx Wildlife Trust project.

The Wilder School Award has been created to help young people learn about nature and make their schools "more wildlife friendly".

As well as the island's 32 primary schools, environment-focused clubs have been also invited to take part in the scheme.

The trust's Beth Penhallurick said it could help combat "climate anxiety" by showing young people "they can be part of the solution".

She said, if young people and children "can feel like they can do something to benefit wildlife", it could have a "positive effect on them".

The charity has outlined 10 suggested activities for participants to try.

'Helping Manx wildlife'

Ms Penhallurick said there were a number of ways to create "wildlife corridors" by making sure there were "holes open for small mammals to get through" or "places for bird nesting" on school grounds.

She said: "One of the most important things for wildlife is water sources, but a pond is not always appropriate in a school garden.

"This is an exciting opportunity for pupils to engage with the environment around them and to know that they can play an important role in helping Manx wildlife for the future.”

Ms Penhallurick said she had already been "impressed" by how much schools were doing to try and make their school grounds wildlife friendly, and "wanted them to be recognised for that".

The trust said feedback from the inaugural awards would be used to shape any repeat of the programme.