Most days, we often come across something in the natural world which makes us stop for a split second in amazement, bringing our busy worlds to an abrupt halt. In fact, I experienced one such moment this morning on my jog (or usually drag!) around the village with our Labrador dog ‘Chester’. As we made our way down our street in the autumnal fog, many of the garden gates were displaying the most beautiful and intricate Spider’s webs, sparkling in the morning mist. Almost as if the Spiders were artists, showing off their latest creations. To me, experiences like this are magical, instantly having the ability to make you forget for your worries, even if it is only for a split second.
For many years, I have had the pleasure of taking groups of people and children out into nature. On every occasion I can remember, we have enjoyed conversations which light-heartedly question the behaviours of the species we encounter. “Look at that feisty Robin, guarding his territory….” I would hear people say. Or even things like…” I wonder what those Pigeons are saying to each other?” Without doubt, the pleasure we gain in seeking to build a closer and relatable connection to the natural world around us, seems to make us feel oddly more Human.
When it comes to encouraging children, describing the behaviours of wildlife helps them relate to these creatures. Often sparking off a curiosity, which I feel we have a duty to encourage. As we know, it has been proven many times that nature has both mental and physical benefits for us all, but especially children. It has been known to improve mood, reduce depression and also mental fatigue.
Creating the dream…
So, this brings me to one of the main reasons why I chose to create, ‘The Last Year of The Wild’. I basically set myself a challenge… what if I could create an informed adventure story, set against the back drop of a changing climate, that not only brought our everyday wildlife alive in the naturally creative minds of children. But that they would begin to make up their own stories, and enjoy more of those magical nature inspired moments, as they recognised the species from my stories in their everyday lives. Perhaps, in the first instance, they might notice the Pigeons which peck at their playgrounds, or the Starlings which swirl in the air through our villages and towns? They may even notice the flocks of Rooks which nest in the Rookeries of tall trees, or line up on the tops of fences and walls. Perhaps, if I was lucky enough, they would be inspired to foster a life-long love of the natural world. This would not only be beneficial and informative to them, but they might ultimately be inspired to help us save it.
