Natural England - Nature For Schools

Introduction
Primary resources
Secondary resources
ELS teacher resource materials
Education packs
Website links

Links
- Conservation
- Habitats
- Species
- Geology
- Regional

Links

Habitats

		Habitats at Key Stage 1
		Habitats at Key Stage 2
		Woodlands
		Grasslands
		Farmland
		Wetland
		Water
		Heathland
		Rocks & mountains
		Urban & industrial
		Coast
		Marine
		General info on habitats

Habitats at Key Stage 1

Countryside Foundation

www.countrysidefoundation.org.uk/

Excellent web site with pictures and activities for students also links to other web sites of interest and teachers resources.

Earthwatch

www.earthwatch.org/europe/

Has information regarding the conservation of habitats, useful as a teacher’s resource.

Farming and Countryside Education

www.face-online.org.uk/

Resources for teachers and farm information, as well as information on farm visits.

Forest Education

www.foresteducation.org.uk/

Has a free resource section which may be useful in the classroom, and has many interesting pictures to make it attractive to younger students.

Wildlife Trusts

www.wildlifetrusts.org/

Information regarding the organisations work, including details of local Wildlife Trusts.

Habitats at Key Stage 2

Countryside Foundation

www.countrysidefoundation.org.uk

Excellent web site with pictures and activities for kids, and also links to other web sites of interest and teachers resources.

Earthwatch

www.earthwatch.org/europe/

Has information regarding the conservation of habitats, useful as a teacher’s resource.

Farming and Countryside Education

www.face-online.org.uk

Resources for teachers and farm information, as well as information on farm visits.

Forest Education

www.foresteducation.org.uk/

Has a free resource section which may be useful in the classroom, and has many interesting pictures to make it attractive to younger students.

Wildlife Trusts

www.wildlifetrusts.org/

Information regarding the organisations work, including details of local Wildlife Trusts.

Nature Grid

www.naturegrid.org.uk

Information on grassland, river and woodland habitats

Woodlands

The Woodlands Trust

www.woodland-trust.org.uk/main.htm

Includes interactive map of all Trust woods in England.

The Forest of Arden

www.cv81pl.freeserve.co.uk/arden.htm

Although this site refers to the Forest of Arden in Warwickshire most of the information would apply to forests and Woods elsewhere in England. It is a beautifully prepared site packed full of information, history, and superb photography.

Herbs of Gobions Woods

www.brookmans.com/environment/flora/flora1.shtml

A picture gallery of 49 species recorded and photographed in Gobions Wood

Shrubs and trees of Gobions Woods

www.brookmans.com/environmentl/flora/flora1.shtml

A picture gallery of 49 species of flowering shrubs and trees recorded and photographed in Gobions woods

Planet Arkive

www.planetarkive.org/

Includes information on woodland canopy, field, ground and shrub layers. Descriptions and superb photographs of a wide range of woodland wildlife.

Grassland

Natural England Biodiversity Action Plans

www.english-nature.org/baps/habitats/search.asp

Complete listing of action plans relating to various grasslands, with overviews and action plans.

Farmland

Defra Farming

www.defra.gov.uk/farm/conservation/hedgerows.htm

This Government site is a statement of objectives relating to wildlife preservation in our farms hedgerows

The Chilterns an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - Farmland Birds.

www.chilternsaonb.org/caring/farmland_birds.html

History of farm development and its effect on birds. Includes references to Red Kites and Stone Curlews

Habitats and Species: summary of issues

www.mluri.sari.ac.uk/aweg/habitatspecies.pdf

Information relating to loss of habitat resulting from intensive farming

RSPB Countryside - introduction to habitats

www.rspb.org.uk/countryside/habitats/index.asp

Listing of habitats including farmland supporting or threatening bird life.

Planet Arkive

www.planetarkive.org/farmland_homepage.html

Excellent site. Includes, farmland hedgerows, grass etc. With a wide range of wildlife descriptions supported by superb photography.

FWAG

www.fwag.org.uk

Information on biodiversity of farmland with virtual farm tours.

Wetland

The Wildfowl and Wetlands trust.

www.wwtlearn.org.uk/wwt-menu.htm

Lots of information on Wetlands including key stage 1-3 worksheets and projects

Natural England

www.english-nature.org.uk/science/wetland/habitats.asp

Straightforward statement of wetland habitat action plans for several forms of wetland

RSPB

www.rspb.org.uk/countryside/habitats/wetlands/index.asp

Descriptions with supporting photograph of all types of wetlands and birds found on them.

Water

Young peoples Trust for the Environment.

www.yptenc.org.uk/index.html

Aimed at involving 5-16 year olds in a wide range of environmental issues. Includes identification key for wildlife found in freshwater.

Kids Ark Pond dipping.

http://web.ukonline.co.uk/conker/pond-dip/

Simple guide to pond dipping and wildlife discovered

Baffins Pond

www.baffinspond.cwc.net/

Superb site relating to a large pond in Portsmouth, open to the Public. Lots of info. and an excellent Picture gallery.

British Waterways. Wildlife habitats.

www.waterscape.com/features-and-articles/features/wildlife

Basic information relating to canal wildlife.

Wildlife in Berkshire.

www.wildberks.co.uk/wetlandwild.htm

References to wildlife in Berkshire in and around lakes, ponds, rivers.

Thames Explorer trust

www.thames-explorer.org.uk

Fish, birds, invertebrates found in and on the Thames complete with picture gallery.

Heathland

Heathland Heritage

www.english-nature.co.uk/thh/about-us.asp

Site is supported by Natural England. Contains details of threats and objectives together with location details of English heathland.

The Woodland Education Centre. Heathland Restoration Project.

www.habitats.freeserve.co.uk/heathlan.htm

This site relates to a heathland restoration project in Devon it is highly informative and information is presented in an extremely interesting way.

Offwell Woodland & Wildlife Trust. Heathland.

www.countrysideinfo.co.uk

Definitions, photographs, management, species.

David Element - Heathland Insects

www.david.element.ukgateway.net/heathlandinsects.htm

Superb photographs only. Full screen and captioned of heath land insects.

RSPB

www.rspb.org/countryside/habitats

Basic description of all types of heathland.

Young Peoples trust for the Environment

www.yptenc.org.uk/docs/factsheets/env_facts/heathland.html

Description of lowland heaths of Southern England. With lists of birds, plants, reptiles, invertebrates.

Thames Explorer trust

www.thames-explorer.org.uk

Fish, birds, invertebrates found in and on the Thames complete with picture gallery.

Rocks & mountains

Wild flowers around Buxton

www.buxtononline.net/Buxton-Online98/Buxton-Online-Derbyshire-Peak-District-Community98/flowers.htm

Description and photographs of plants found in the Derbyshire Peak district

RSPB

www.rspb.org.uk/countryside/habitats/uplands/montane.asp

Definitions, photographs, management, species.

Urban & industrial

Caring for our other Urban populations.

www.ihbc.org.uk/context_archive/73/urban_dir/urban_s.htm

Brief paper relating to endangered plants and species in Urban sites.

BBB Nature Wild Britain

www.bbc.co.uk/nature/animals/wildbritain/habitats/urban

Excellent site includes wildlife species found in several different urban habitats

Coast

Wildlife sites of County Durham Coastal Habitats.

www.raiseonline.co.uk/durhamcc/usp.nsf/pws/Durham+Wildlife+sites+-+Coastal+Habitats

Brief description of Durham’s coastal habitats

BBC Nature Wild Britain - Look around coastal plants.

www.bbc.co.uk/nature/animals/wildbritain/look_around/plants/coastal.shtml

Brief reference to coastal plants with pictures.

RSPB Coastal Habitats - Birds

www.rspb.org.uk/countryside/habitats/coastal/index.asp

Total and very extensive analysis of current national situation with action plan.

Natural England

www.english-nature.org.uk/livingwiththesea/habitats/default.asp

Detailed description of Natural England's work and projects on coastal habitats

Marine

WWF UK marine health check

www.wwf.org.uk/filelibrary/pdf/mu_43.pdf

An examination of the status of 16 marine species and habitats

RSPB Marine Habitats

www.rspb.org.uk/countryside/habitats/marine/index.asp

Excellent site with detailed information of many different marine environments.

Wildlife Trusts Marine & Coastline

www.wildlifetrusts.org/index.php?section=environment:marine:living

Brief information on threats to marine wildlife.

British Marine Life Study Society

www.glaucus.org.uk/

Small but interesting site relating to British marine life. Also includes Marine Wildlife news

The Marine Life Information Network for Britain and Ireland (Marlin)

www.marlin.ac.uk/

Interesting site with photographic library and an education section

General info on habitats

Habitats at Kew

www.kew.org/education/schtrails.html

Explore and discover some of the fascinating plants and animals that live in the wilder places at Kew. The trail will take you on a journey through six different habitats in the Conservation Area at Kew and has been produced with support from English Nature

Offwell

www.offwell.free-online.co.uk

General biodiversity site with information on various habitats

RSPB

www.rspb.org.uk/countryside/habitats/

Excellent site with detailed information of many different habitats

BBC

www.bbc.co.uk/nature/animals/wildbritain/habitats

General information on habitats

Wildlife Trusts

www.wildlifetrusts.org/

Information on habitats.