NatureLinks is a National Lottery funded project providing young people with opportunities to:
Gain skills, knowledge and experience connecting with nature and wildlife
Make new friends and enjoy a range of nature-based activities
Enhance wellbeing by spending time outdoors
We offer FREE sessions, courses and work experience for 14-25 yr olds
There are plenty of ways you can get involved depending on your areas of interest, whether you like practical, scientific, creative or media related activities
"It has given me new skills and a newer outlook on life which has benefitted my mental health"
“It has given me major opportunities to do things I would never have experienced otherwise”
“Perfect low-pressure fun out in nature!”
“I really enjoyed the social aspect and to hang out with friends and make new friends"
Current projects to get involved in
THE HEART OF REEDS
The Heart of Reeds is our much loved landscape scale art installation, and a thriving wildlife habitat – but it needs some care! We will work out the best ways to look after it, do lots of practical work to help the creatures who call this rare habitat their home, and share what we are doing through art, social media and celebration events.
THE SIGNAL BOX
The old signal box on The Railway Land is feeling a little tired and unloved...
We will be redesigning and renovating both the interior and exterior of the building to bring it back to life so that it can be used as a wellbeing and arts space for people to enjoy again.
PRACTICAL CONSERVATION
We run regular practical conservation sessions on three sites in Lewes - the Railway Land, the Cockshut Wetlands and Landport Bottom. There is always a variety of tasks for everyone to enjoy, from coppicing to scrub bashing, planting trees and wildflowers, or repairing steps and fences.
ART TRAIL AND FILM
In collaboration with Brighton University media department, local artists and media professionals, we will be doing walks and workshops to explore how we connect with landscape and how to interpret that to share with others. This will lead to an exhibition and creation of an interpretative art trail in the Eastbourne Downland.
Upcoming dates for the diary
Sun 5th Jan, 10am - 1pm - Practical Conservation session @ RL
Tues 7th Jan, 4 - 6pm - Signal Box project session - Art/Printing
Tues 21st Jan, 4 - 6pm - Monthly meet up - Heart of Reeds session
Sun 2nd Feb, 11am - 3pm - Heart of Reeds day
Sat 8th Feb, 11am - 1pm - Wildlife discovery series - Splendid Soil
Tues 18th Feb, 4 - 6pm - Monthly meet up - Art Trail + Film session
Sun 2nd Mar, 10am - 1pm - Practical Conservation session @ RL
Tues 4th Mar, 4 - 6pm - Signal Box project session
Tues 18th Mar, 4 - 6pm - Monthly meet up - Signal Box session
Sat 29th Mar, 3 - 5pm - Wildlife Discovery Series - Beautiful Birdsong
Tues 4th Apr, 4 - 6pm - Signal Box project session
Tues 18th Apr, 4 - 6pm - Monthly meet up - Practical Conservation
TO BOOK YOUR PLACE ON ANY OF THE ABOVE OR FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT ALI :
BY EMAIL: naturelinks@railwaylandproject.org
BY TEXT: 07579 852 961
Free courses for 14-25 yr olds
6 week Environmental Arts course
An opportunity to learn from talented local artists and craftspeople - limited places
BOOKING NOW!
Thursdays 27th Feb - 3rd April 4 - 6.30pm @ The Linklater Pavillion
This unique course combines 3 modules focusing on different skills:
Techniques for printing with natural materials
Sculpture weaving from willow
Woodcrafting skills to repurpose preloved wood
Contact Ali to book your place asap! - Priority given to those who can attend all 6 sessions.
BY EMAIL: naturelinks@railwaylandproject.org
BY TEXT: 07579 852 961
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Work Experience and Youth Volunteering
Whether you are looking for work experience for a particular week, need a certain amount of volunteering hours for your course or award, or a placement, then we will do our best to help. We can create a tailor-made schedule for you depending on your needs and interests.
If you would like to be invited for an informal interview to discuss what we can arrange for you, please contact Ali:
BY EMAIL: naturelinks@railwaylandproject.org
BY TEXT: 07579 852 961
"I learnt a lot about the environment and how land can be managed for wildlife's welfare, and it led me to change my path towards zoology which I am really excited to study in future" - Railway Land work experience participant
Underpinning the project is the concept of Blue and Green Infrastructure and the many benefits it brings to our local communities.
Blue and Green Infrastructure - What is it?
BLUE – refers to the water body elements in our local environment. Examples include: rivers, lakes, canals, reservoirs, ponds, rainwater collection butts and raingardens.
GREEN – refers to the land-based elements: Trees, fields, parks, woodland, hedgerows, street verges, soil, community gardens, window boxes, compost heaps, green walls and roofs to name a few.
INFRASTRUCTURE – is how these elements are designed to interconnect within a multifunctional network providing multiple uses and benefits such as:
Increased biodiversity, severe weather adaptation, carbon capture, active travel facilities, wildlife habitat and wellbeing.
