All’s Wild and Well at Knowsley Safari
by Educate Magazine July 28, 2022 · Education News / Uncategorized
Wild and Well, Knowsley Safari’s free-of-charge woodland-based school sessions, specifically for children in Knowsley, have won a coveted gold award at the national BIAZA (British & Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums) Annual Awards 2022.
The ‘Oscars’ of the zoo and safari world, the BIAZA Awards recognise Britain and Ireland’s most important and exciting projects and Knowsley Safari’s Wild and Well sessions received a gold award – the top accolade – in the education category. The sessions were recognised for enabling children to connect with nature to improve their wellbeing, as well as removing the barrier of cost to encourage accessibility to nature for those locally who may not otherwise have access.
Over 640 Knowsley school children, aged 4-6 years, took part in the sessions between October 2021 and March 2022, which focused on native species and habitats. The sessions saw children exploring woodland while puddle jumping and playing in mud stations, along with nature crafts and story times.
Lord Derby, the owner of Knowsley Safari, presented the Safari’s learning and discovery team with the BIAZA Gold Award at Knowsley Safari this week.
Lord Derby said: “We have a commitment to make Knowsley Safari accessible to the local community and it’s so wonderful to see the passion our learning and discovery team have in inspiring future generations to learn about the natural world around them. The team has done a tremendous job creating an action-packed programme for all ages and this award for Wild and Well couldn’t be better deserved.”
Dr Jo Judge, CEO, BIAZA, said: “Knowsley Safari has a growing reputation for developing holistic nature experiences without financial barriers. Wild and Well is a creative and adaptable concept that received strong feedback from the schools involved and this year’s Gold BIAZA Education Award is very well deserved.”
90% of teachers strongly agreed Wild and Well improved the children’s connection to nature and the sessions have now been extended to 7–9-year-olds.
Knowsley Safari’s Conservation Team also won a Silver BIAZA Award for their research work.
