Get ready for the Big Butterfly Count - it starts this week!
Between Friday 17 July and Sunday 9 August 2020 choose a place to spot butterflies and moths. Watch for 15 minutes. Then record which species you see.
The Big Butterfly Count is a nationwide citizen science survey aimed at helping to assess the health of our environment. It was launched in 2010 and has rapidly become the world's biggest survey of butterflies. Over 113,500 citizen scientists took part in 2019, submitting 116,009 counts of butterflies and day-flying moths from across the UK.
Go to the Big Butterfly Count website to download a free butterfly ID chart or free app to help you identify and record the butterflies you spot.
Twitter: @savebutterflies #ButterflyCount FB: @savebutterflies
Instagram: savebutterflies #ButterflyCount #SaveButterflies #MothsMatter
To stimulate your butterfly conversations and activities, we're offering an inspirational bundle of butterfly goodies.
You could win
To enter the competition email the answer to this question to share@muddyfaces.co.uk
Q: What kind of butterfly is featured in the Life cycle of a butterfly that we are giving away? (clue, click the link to find out!)
Closing date for this competition is 9am Monday 20 July 2020.
For full competition terms & conditions click here.
The Wildlife Trusts and the RHS set up Wild About Gardens to celebrate wildlife gardening and to encourage people to use their gardens to take action to help support nature.
Grow a Secret Garden for Butterflies is a free downloadable pdf guide to UK butterflies and moths, with life cycles guide & facts, best plants to grow, and games to play.
Take part in the England Tree Strategy
The government is asking for views on:
"Everyone – from farmers, foresters and land managers, experts and environmental organisations, to members of the public – is being invited to give their views on the future creation and management of our trees, woodlands and forests."
We think that everyone should include everyone who loves trees and is working outdoors with children and adults.
We are very proud of England's trees and woodlands and do what we can to support them - which is why all our own brand wood products are UK-grown and sourced from sustainable woodlands supporting skilled workers and the land they work on.
More information and link to the online survey on the government website here.
Our one stop shop has a diverse selection of practical, educational and inspiring products for all your forest school, outdoor play and learning requirements.
See our full Covid-19 statement here.
Perfect for baking biscuits or butterfly pizzas of course, but you could also use this cutter to cut leaf decorations or mud moths!
Owl-shaped cutter also available.
Create a butterfly trail or treasure hunt with this UK-grown hardwood disc, with a hole drilled in top for hanging or threading.
In summer use as a feeding station, in winter it becomes a cosy retreat for non-migratory butterflies.
Comes with a project book & magnifying glass.
Our Outdoor Hub is free to everyone and packed full of literally hundreds of step-by-step, photo-illustrated activities. You don't have to be out in an amazing Forest School or woodland setting, most of the activities can be done at home, in a yard or garden, many of them can be adapted and done indoors.
We really do encourage you to get outside if you can - the benefits to your health and wellbeing are huge - you can read all about them on the Outdoor Hub here.
Click here to browse our Outdoor Hub activities
Our activities are organised in categories so you can find what you need, or use our keyword search (scroll down the left hand menu) to follow your children's interests.
The Outdoor Hub has a wealth of inspiring activities, events and information. Each section has been designed to encourage engagement in the outdoors, connection with nature and to help spark imaginative play and creativity.
Needle felting in 2D
A simple starter project & introduction to the art of needle felting.
Read More about Needle felting in 2D
Rose petal perfume
Create fragrant concoctions from natural ingredients - a simple but ever-engaging activity for adults as well as children.
Read More about Rose petal perfume