Earth Day 2019 – “Protect Our Species” with these 8 Trips

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Earth Day is here again for its 49th year of educating and engaging audiences young and old with a new and continuous appreciation for our natural world. The 2019 theme is “Protect Our Species” and we’ve got tons of visits that encourage a respect and appreciation for conservation and protection of our natural world. Read on to hear which visits can engage your pupils with this year’s theme, and if your up-coming visits makes the list.

The natural splendour of our planet is something that human kind often takes for granted, negatively affecting the natural world around us, which is now seeing the highest rate of extinction in millennia. The last time our earth saw extinction on this scale was during the Mesozoic Era, a whopping 66 million years ago with the extinction of the dinosaurs! Fast forward 66 million years and the fate of our earth and the hundreds of species who inhabit it us rests in the hands of humanity. If we continue with activity such as deforestation, unsustainable farming, pollution, climate change we will fail the natural world and generations to come, causing mass global extinction and a world lacking in animals, plant life and the natural beauty we so often take for granted.

There’s never been a more important time to engage the coming generations with preservation, conservation and appreciation, respect and care for their natural world. Kick start your groups enthusiasm with educational visits to explore biodiversity, on their very door steps.

Scotland

Edinburgh Zoo

Edinburgh Zoo is amongst the global leaders for its efforts in conservation, research and learning, providing a perfect experience for your students to understand the scale of global conservation. Spanning a huge 82-acres the zoo is home to over 1000 rare and endangered species, allowing your students to get up close and personal with animals which desperately rely on the efforts of humankind. Students may be shocked to understand that some of their favourite animals and species risk extinction, urging them to take a vested interest in sustainable living and the reduction of their footprint on our world. Edinburgh Zoo is an exciting yet educational and poignant way to educate your students on the importance of restoring balance in our natural world, reducing our impact globally and the rising crisis our natural world faces.

Deep Sea World

One of the largest aquariums in the world and home to the largest collection of sharks in Europe this visit will educate your students on the increasingly topical issue of our oceans and the affect we are having on these unique habitats and the species who call the oceans home. The many exhibits allow students to understand the importance of marine conservation and the delicate ocean eco-systems such as the shorelines, oceans, inlets and salt marshes. With ocean emergencies such as the rapid decline of the Great Barrier Reef, it is not only an important and topical visit, but an enjoyable and engaging experience with a trip through one of the longest underwater safari tunnels in the world!

England

London Zoo

Another of the World’s leading Zoo’s, London Zoo is home to over 600 breeds and species divided amongst its 8 zones and covering an impressive 14 hectares of the city. The sheer size of London Zoo is coupled with roughly 20 live interactive demonstrations, touching on everything from birds of prey, to insects and live feeding sessions. London Zoo also offers a range of educational programmes catering to students of all levels and tackling topics such as conservation, climate change and environmental issues threatening our natural world. During a visit to London Zoo the theme of preservation projects runs throughout, developing a keen understanding and appreciation for wildlife within your students. Relating issues such as extinction to modern day settings, and their favourite animals is sure to awaken the animal lover in your students and inspire them to act in favour of our natural world.

Kew Gardens

Kew Gardens is home to over 14,00 trees and an impressively diverse collection of plant life, as well as centuries worth of history amongst its rolling greenery. Not only is this diverse collection at Kew Gardens displayed beautifully, but it benefits the study and development of botany and the preservation and maintenance of plant life within the UK. Through the work and collections at Kew Gardens they hope to ignite a public recognition, respect and appreciation of the importance of botany and create a vested community interest in the greenery in the UK. Groups can also enjoy guided tours at Kew Gardens where they will take part in workshops, tours or lectures and explore the issues and hurdles facing botany and the importance of this research on a wider biodiverse scale.

London Aquarium

Fittingly situated along London’s South Bank the London Aquarium is home to over 1500 aquatic creatures, from all over the globe. Students can explore the eco-systems, food chains and inhabitants of oceans near and far and understand their role in the preservation and endurance of marine life. Not only is London Aquarium a great general visit but this visit can be tailored to your group with presentations and curriculum-led workshops on offer. These educational experiences explore the influence of science, leisure and tourism on the ocean and its wildlife, proving an eye-opening and enriching experience for students.London is also home to The Natural History Museum famed for its comprehensive collection of natural artefacts spanning millennia. From dinosaurs to species that walk amongst us today your students can explore the past, present and future of our planet and the wildlife we share it with.

Cornwall

Eden Project

This unique and striking location is home to exotic plants from three climate zones, spanning the globe. The plant life on show originates from tropical, Mediterranean and temperate climates, exposing students to plants they won’t have seen before in their lives! The breath-taking collection is not only for display but plays a substantial role in the research and development in botany. Visits can be arranged to include workshops and activities which cover topics such as climate change, sustainability and our natural world.

Padstow National Lobster Hatchery

The seafood industry is one of the largest hurdles our planet is facing with predictions for “fishless oceans” becoming more and more relevant. At this lobster hatchery in Padstow, Cornwall students can understand how vulnerable populations of lobster are being protected, as well as valuable insight into local and national marine life in the UK. Your class even has the option of adopting your own lobster, as a reminder of your trip and a source for updates on marine conservation and the work being done at this facility.

Gweek Cornish Seal Sanctuary

This sanctuary in Southern Cornwall offers school groups the opportunity to get up close and personal with seal pups in the care of the sanctuary. These pups are wild animals, who are being rehabilitated in the facility before being released back into the wild. Visits will see your students discover more about these intelligent animals. In addition, your group can extend the learning to the classroom on your return, with downloadable learning resources. Topics covered in these great resources include; marine conservation, aquatic food chains and ocean eco-systems. A visit to Gweek Cornish Seal Sanctuary will provide the perfect visual aid and foundation of knowledge for the topics covered in the classroom.

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If you want to inspire your students to go green and get involved with wild-life inside the classroom and would like to here more about these visits, and other geography and science tours we offer, please get in touch. Alternatively, request a quote and we'll do the rest!