Education at Whisby Nature Park

Designed to enhance what you do in the classroom; the sessions connect children with nature through hands-on experience. Divided into three themes, there is a range of activities to choose from, within your chosen theme, to suit your visit and learning outcomes. 

Choose from one of three themes for your visit:

• Lincolnshire’s Wildlife - A day of exploring the natural world and discovering the wildlife, animals and plants that live around us.
• Lincolnshire’s Environments - Take a walk through time as you discover the changes in the environment brought about by human and natural activities.
• Experience Nature - An immersive day connecting with nature through a combination of natural art, storytelling, exploration and senses and emotions.

Secondary pupils can spend a day learning survey and sampling skills in a variety of habitats. These can include freshwater sampling and use of indicator species to look at water quality. Use of random quadrats and transects to survey flora in woodland and meadow. Mark, release, recapture for estimating population size.

Secondary pupils can also visit to look at how people use a busy leisure site and how the site is managed to balance the needs of people and wildlife.

• Secure extensive education grounds
• Purpose built pond platform
• Covered outdoor classroom
• Extensive stocks of field study equipment, resources, and activities for your visit
• Large indoor classroom
• Indoor toilet and handwashing facilities
• Step free access throughout

Whisby Nature Park was previously used as a sand and gravel quarry, but after extensive conservation work it now consists of scenic lakes surrounded by grassland, marsh and scrub; a diverse habitat that attracts a wide variety of birds and wildlife.

For more information on the reserve and it's wildlife, visit the main Whisby Nature Park page.

All group leaders can benefit from a free site pre-visit and planning session with our Education Officer who will supply you with:

• Relevant risk assessments and health and safety information
• A draft programme of activities for your group
• Familiarisation with the on-site facilities

On the event day, you will also receive: 

• Free all day coach parking (there is a £3 charge for cars)
• A full day running from 10am until 2.30pm (additional time can be arranged at an additional cost)

All activity equipment for your day will be provided.

At Whisby Education Centre we can cater for up to two groups (max 35 per group) at any one time. Each group will benefit from their own dedicated Education Officer who will lead all your pre-booked activities.

Each group of up to 35 primary school students is £200 for the day. Groups of up to 35 secondary school students are £250 for the day. 

To check availability, to book or enquire about your visit to Whisby Education Centre please contact the Education Officers using the contact details below.

If you are interested in bringing a school group please contact:

Whisby Education Centre
Whisby Nature Park
Moor Lane
Thorpe-on-the-Hill
Lincoln
LN6 9BW

Tel: 01522 696926
Email: whisbyeducation@lincstrust.co.uk

Seasonal activities for the under 5s

Monthly outdoor activities designed to educate, entertain and inspire your under 5s about nature. Each session follows a given theme and can include crafts, songs, story time and additional activities, ranging from wild art to minibeast safaris, and puddle jumps to scavenger hunts. Nature Tots is always great fun!

Sessions will take place outside, so please dress appropriately for the weather. Your Tot will need to be accompanied by an adult at all times. Booking essential. 

Find out more information on our Nature Clubs page here.

Nature club for 5 to 11 year olds

Wildlife Watch sessions include a wide range of activities and topics to engage your 5-11 year old’s with the natural world. Whether its insects, birds, bushcraft or folklore, each month’s sessions are built on an ever-growing array of topics. Come on down to explore nature with us!

Sessions will take place outside, so please dress appropriately for the weather. Wildlife Watchers will need to be accompanied by an adult at all times. Booking essential.

Find out more information on our Nature Clubs page here.

An introduction to conservation for youngsters aged 11 to 18

For those young people aged 11-18 wanting to learn how best to experience and take care of the natural world. With a mix of practical conservation tasks and educational sessions, we promise to teach you what there is to find in nature and how to look after it. Join us for woodland management, fungi forays, wildlife identification and dives into Lincolnshire’s prehistoric past.

Sessions will take place outside, so please dress appropriately for the weather. Junior Wardens aged 16 and under will need adult supervision in sessions involving tool use. Booking essential.

Find out more information on our Nature Clubs page here.

Equipment can be set up in a variety of styles to suit your needs and includes:

• Tables and chairs 
• Flipchart stands with pads and pens
• Multi-media projector and screens
• Speakers for laptops
• Hearing loop
• Writing paper and pencils
• Whiteboards
• WiFi

Light refreshments can be arranged, from tea, coffee and biscuits on arrival to the extensive lunchtime menu or buffet available from the Boardwalk Café at the Natural World Centre.

If you prefer to bring in your own caterers we can work with you to arrange this.

Our large car park is capable of holding 150 cars and five coaches, and can host most conference parking requirements with room to spare. Trainers or organisers have the privilege of parking in the free private Education Centre car park directly in front of the building, easing the burden of loading and unloading any resources and equipment you may have.

Delegate parking is pay and display in the main car park with a charge in effect from 10am-4pm; £3.00 from 1st March - 31st October, £2.00 from 1st November - end of February.

All of our Education Centre staff are CRB checked and first aid trained. We have many years experience in delivering environmental education, nature conservation and outdoor recreation. We aim to make your day run as smoothly as possible.

If you would like an ‘away day’ with a difference our Education Officers can organise environmental training and activity days tailored to meet your needs, which include:

• Environmental Education Training Sessions
• INSET days for teaching staff
• Practical conservation training, projects and tasks
• Bushcraft
• Team building games and activities
• Guided walks and talks

All trainers can benefit from a free site tour with our Centre staff so we can tailor your training needs to best enhance your day. It also gives trainers a valuable opportunity to explore the Centre and Nature Park prior to your day. We can also supply relevant risk assessments and other health and safety information you may require.

To check availability, to book or enquire about your visit please contact:

Whisby Education and Community Officers

Whisby Nature Park

Moor Lane

Thorpe-on-the-Hill

Lincoln

LN6 9BW

Tel: 01522 696926

Email: whisbyeducation@lincstrust.co.uk