Smith's Wood Heritage Project
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust is working in
partnership with the Warwickshire Association of Youth Clubs to
deliver part of the Solihull Positive Activities Programme.
This project is working with young people
from the North Solihull area who are at risk of anti-social
behaviour to document and celebrate the diverse and interesting
heritage of Smith's Wood Nature Reserve in north Solihull.
Participants are researching the historical background of the wood,
including when it was part of the Forest of Arden, why it was
designated a Local Nature Reserve, who manages the wood and the
importance of the Nature Reserve in the local community. The young
people are using local libraries and the internet and also
interviewing local residents to find out their memories of the
wood. They are recording their findings through a variety of
multimedia, such as the production of audio interviews, video
diaries, music and photography.
The video footage the young people gather
will be put together to form a short documentary on the heritage of
Smith's Wood Nature Reserve at the end of the project. This will be
displayed at local schools, Solihull Central Library and
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust visitor centres.
Young people who engage with the project
will have the opportunity to take part in the Arts Award and the
John Muir Award, which provide motivation and recognition for young
people's achievements.
As part of their personal development
programme, year 10 pupils from Forest Oak School have taken part in
the project, working with hazel in Smith's Wood and on their school
site to create pea and bean poles for their newly planted
allotment.
The group also built an invertebrate habitat at the Parkridge
Centre and completed the John Muir Award at Explorer Level.
For more information about the project,
please contact Matt Cox on 0121 704 0768 or email matt.cox@wkwt.org.uk.
