FRED OUR PARK INSPECTOR IS AT HOME THIS WEEK SO JOIN HIM IN HIS GARDEN. "THE BEST WAY TO BEGIN YOUR ADVENTURES WITH THE OUTDOORS IS START WITH YOUR VERY OWN GARDEN. YOU WOULD BE AMAZED AT WHAT YOU WILL FIND!"



LEAF LIBRARY - Leaves come in all shapes and sizes. Make a collection of them and stick them in a scrapbook. This time of year only selected plants and trees will have leaves but this is a good time to get an idea how many different leaf shapes there are. Make sure you put the names of the trees and plants your leaves come from so you won't forget.

LEAFY PRINTS - You can make fantastic pictures by taking prints of leaf shapes and vein patterns. Use your imagination and use plenty of different colours. Brush the leaf with a light coat of paint and then press a sheet of paper on top of the painted surface, feel the shape and designs of your leaf. Then carefully peel away your paper and there you have your Leaf Print.
BIRD TREATS - During the winter months it is very cold so it is important to treat the birds with someting tasty. Mix some breadcrumbs, cheese, porridge oats and birdseed together & add soft cooking fat. Get an acorn or something similar and tie string to the top. This will make it easy for you to hang your feeders (Bird Treats) from a tree branch. Then get your bird food and push it into the gaps where it will set. Hang your treats around the garden, watch and listen to the birds enjoy them!
NAME THAT TREE - Here is another way to learn about trees. Place a sheet of paper on the bark of a tree and rub over it with a crayon. Take the rubbings from a variety of trees and make a Bark Collection. Remember to place the name of the tree bside your rubbing. Now when you are out and about can you tell which tree is which by rubbing the bark? If so name that tree!
MUSHROOM PRINTS - Place a shop bought mushroom cap, (underneath side) onto a coloured card. Put a bowl over it and leave. The next day, carefully lift the cap off the card. It's spores should have made a print.

FRED "So thats a small example of how to enjoy the outdoors, next week I am taking you to my Park to learn about our Environment & Ecology. Over the many weeks ahead I will teach you about everything from Plants to Camping. So join me and the rangers each week, look forward to you joining our troops!"