On 1st November, the DGS Geography department invited Jen Hurst and ex-DGS student Rowan Lawfull to speak with students about Woodland areas locally, nationally and internationally. Year 7 students took part in a workshop looking at the fantastic "OneOak" project that the foundation completed recently, and had the opportunity to learn about the many different uses of trees. A selection of Year 11 students took part in a seminar to discuss the issues surrounding human impact on woodland and gave suggestions for how young people could be encouraged to experience these environments and engage with the debates surrounding their use/misuse. Year 13 students were given the opportunity to take part in a great debate about how young people use woodland and were advised about career options in the areas of conservation, outdoor activities and international charity work.

The girls also had the opportunity to participate in a national research project by completing questionnaires about their experiences of woodland areas and their uses. The outcomes of this research will be published early in 2018 and will go towards creating teaching and learning resources to help improve awareness and appreciation of UK woodland areas.

Click here to learn more about the Sylva Foundation.