Discover your ‘wild’ side online

The Wildlife Trusts launch new website for children and families

4th January, 2010

Nature action, ‘vole-tastic’ gaming, wildlife screensavers and ringtones, plus regular Tweets by naturalist and broadcaster Nick Baker - all part of the new Wildlife Watch digital media package on offer to children and families, from The Wildlife Trusts.

Wildlife Watch is the junior membership branch of The Wildlife Trusts and now has a new-look website (wildlifewatch.org.uk). It has a Twitter profile where Nick Baker keeps an online nature diary, a YouTube channel which features ‘How to’ videos for budding naturalists, and an exclusive water vole game where you fight for survival against fearsome foes like the tawny owl. Users can also download illustrated activity sheets and search an online wildlife database of over 800 plants and animals.

Registered users of the website can also expect regular monthly e-newsletters, packed with activities and suggestions for getting close to the wildlife in their local area.

Nick Baker, also a vice-president of The Wildlife Trusts, said: “How do we get young people to turn off their computers, shut down their virtual worlds and go outside, get dirty and smell the mulch? We don’t! This exciting new website is all about embracing technology and using it as a spring board to the real world outside.

“It’s a virtual scrapbook, a digital wildlife club, and a place to exchange information, ask questions and record wildlife you’ve seen! The new Wildlife Watch website is stuffed with stuff! Games, activities, ideas as well as a regular Twitter feed, newsletter and YouTube ‘tips and tricks’ videos from me!

“I’m kind of jealous I didn’t have this sort of thing when I was 10!”

Adam Cormack, communications manager at The Wildlife Trusts, said: “Our new Wildlife Watch website is all about getting children closer to nature. On the website collect nature stars for spotting wildlife, keep an online nature diary, talk to Nick Baker on Twitter and share experiences with other Wildlife Watchers. It’s all about using the internet to get children interested in nature and encouraging them to go outside and experience the real thing for themselves.”

Children and families who want more can join Wildlife Watch as a full member through local Wildlife Trusts. Members receive a fun-packed folder of wild stuff plus four issues of Wildlife Watch magazine every year. Each issue comes with a free wildlife poster and is full of wildlife stories, pictures, puzzles and competitions. Members also find out about local activities and events. There’s no better way to discover your local wildlife and how you can help to protect it.

Visit Wildlife Watch on:
• The new website: www.wildlifewatch.org.uk
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/WildlifeWatchUK#p/a/u/0/ckPOvW7sURo  
• Twitter: twitter.com/WildlifeWatchUK   
• Rock ‘n’ vole: www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/Games
• Download some fantastic activity sheets: www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/Activity-Sheets  
• Wacky wildlife ringtones: www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/Downloads  
• To find out how to join Wildlife Watch visit www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/Membership

Story by RSWT

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