Park Life with Swindon Ranger David Bosse

As I looked up across the pond to see a group of incredibly happy children, some caked in mud, some with wet feet, but all of them completely engrossed in their search for bugs and beetles and tadpoles, it made me extremely proud to say that they had tuned in to nature and I had done my bit to help.

It was the first time this particular group had visited Stanton Park, and the session had started as usual with a brief introduction to our nature reserve. It was all very nice and they listened patiently, but there is only so much that the spoken word can do to make things real. So I didn’t talk for very long, instead I gave them all some ‘bug hunting’ equipment and some guidance, and we set off.

We went quickly from the usual comments of ‘I don’t like slugs’ and ‘urgh, mud!’ to having them forget about everything other than the job of collecting, identifying and recording life. Every single one of them got stuck in, and it wasn’t long before their excitement was obvious at the things they were finding. Although I’m sure that today they won’t remember every single creature they found, it’s safe to say that that day their learning moved in a direction impossible to replicate in a classroom.

It was Albert Einstein that said “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better” and who am I to argue with Albert Einstein?

It certainly doesn’t take much looking to see that there is truth in his words. Artificial intelligence, advanced medicine, air travel, renewable energy, space exploration are all amazing achievements with a firm footing in our natural world, and things that we would surely be without were it not for the inspiration offered to inventors by the function and simplicity of Mother Nature.

To me this translates as a fundamental need within us all, to be surrounded by nature. If we are to sustain ourselves as a species in this ever changing and dangerous world, we must continue to pay attention to the beauty and detail of the natural world, so that we can equip ourselves with the creative tools necessary to survive and prosper.

The Ranger Team offers free led activities for schools and groups with advanced booking, so please get in touch if you’re interested on 01793 490150, or email us at swindonrangers@swindon.gov.uk