My Environment through Breathing Spaces 2.00pm-3.30pm Assignment Briefing 3.30pm-4.00pm

What is ‘Breathing Places’ About? What is ‘Breathing Places’ About? BBC Breathing Places is a major BBC Learning campaign to inspire and motivate you to create and care for nature-friendly green spaces where you live. ( ) BBC Breathing Places is a major BBC Learning campaign to inspire and motivate you to create and care for nature-friendly green spaces where you live. ( ) Getting out and enjoying nature can have great educational benefits and there are lots of exciting ways you and your classes can get involved. Getting out and enjoying nature can have great educational benefits and there are lots of exciting ways you and your classes can get involved.

History of Our Parks History of Our Parks The Development of Breathing Places in Belfast. History of Our Parks Belfast Castle Estate Belfast Castle Estate Botanic Gardens Botanic Gardens Dunville Park Dunville Park Falls Park Falls Park Ormeau Park Ormeau Park Woodvale Park Woodvale Park Waterworks Waterworks

Why Breathing Places? The research shows that creating nature- friendly green spaces has many benefits. The research shows that creating nature- friendly green spaces has many benefits. The show of colour, the movement and sound of the plants and wildlife plus some fresh air can help us achieve a sense of well-being. The show of colour, the movement and sound of the plants and wildlife plus some fresh air can help us achieve a sense of well-being. Many aspects of the curriculum can be delivered through engaging in a Breathing Places school project, particularly the WAU. Many aspects of the curriculum can be delivered through engaging in a Breathing Places school project, particularly the WAU.

Breathing Places Initiatives in Schools Breathing Places aims to inspire audiences to 'do one thing' to create and protect nature-friendly spaces in their local area. Since it was set up in 2005, nearly 10,000 'breathing places' have been created across the UK. The campaign worked with a huge number of partner organisations to offer activities, events and a website with advice, ideas for things to do and a wide variety of materials to download. Over 12,000 schools were registered as Breathing Places schools. Some Example Case Studies Some Example Case Studies

A Wish for Christmas A Wish for Christmas The Breathing Places initiative asked schools and individuals to do one thing to improve the environment. The Breathing Places initiative asked schools and individuals to do one thing to improve the environment. In this clip various animals and birds found in the UK 'sing' a Christmas message asking to be given more space in their habitats. In this clip various animals and birds found in the UK 'sing' a Christmas message asking to be given more space in their habitats. To find out more about the Breathing Places project go to and s/ To find out more about the Breathing Places project go to and s/ s/ s/

Today’s Project

Find your place You know that bit of land you walk past every day and think someone should really clean that up and make it wonderful for all the wildlife and people in the local community; this is your chance to do it yourself. Taking Action!

Location A Breathing Place could be almost anywhere: a corner of unused land at your school waste-land at the end of your road part of a local cemetery or park the grounds of your village hall or community centre

How well do you know your environment? The piece of land that you will be transforming today is the outside area in the heart of the College known as the Quad and this is where you will begin the project. St Mary’s University College

Find some people Don’t think you have to try and tackle the work alone - there are likely to be others who want to help and you just need to find them. You can enlist the support of the school community in this venture for example: children, parents, care- taker, gardener and other teachers. For the purpose of this exercise you will be working in Professional Studies groups.

Breathing Spaces Partners Breathing Spaces Partners On the BBC Breathing Spaces web-site you will find a list of educational organisations that will support you in this project. On the BBC Breathing Spaces web-site you will find a list of educational organisations that will support you in this project.

Make a Plan Organisation is the key to any successful project so plan, plan, plan! Use whatever method best suits your group to organise and arrange the project. Here are a few ideas on what you will need to do.

Changing your Breathing Place Begin with Assessment Have a look around the area identified. What is there already? Make a list of all the types of plants and features. If you need some help on identification then use the Plant Finder ( aces). Plant Finder Remember that something which may seem like rubbish to you could be a five star bug hotel so make sure you take a good look before throwing it on the skip and leave plenty of messy bits for beetles.

Some Ideas You may need to create new habitats or shelters, like a bird home, or provide new food supplies such as wildlife-friendly plants. You also need to consider how you are going to maintain your Breathing Place once the initial work has been carried out as plants do have a habit of growing and getting out of control.

Get Wildlife Friendly Think about what type of wildlife you would like in your place. Perhaps you would like to include butterflies, birds and bees. Ensure you do the right thing to attract them.

General Ideas for Breathing Places General Ideas for Breathing Places Create a wild-life corner Create a wild-life corner Provide water for birds- Bird bath Provide water for birds- Bird bath Make a wood pile Make a wood pile Create a compost heap Create a compost heap Plant a window box Plant a window box Give a bird a home- Bird box Give a bird a home- Bird box Plant a tree Plant a tree Plant a hedge for butterflies Plant a hedge for butterflies Plant a hedge for butterflies Plant a hedge for butterflies Make a meadow Make a meadow Make a meadow Make a meadow Create a pond Create a pond Create a pond Create a pond Make a bog garden Make a bog garden Make a bog garden Make a bog garden Wetland plants Wetland plants Wetland plants Wetland plants Hibernaculum wall Hibernaculum wall Hibernaculum wall Hibernaculum wall Make a bug home Make a bug home Make a bug home Make a bug home Seating/ storage Seating/ storage Seating/ storage Seating/ storage

Some Practical Considerations Consider Health and Safety issues as well as disabled access. How child friendly is the environment? Think about costs and maintenance. Perhaps you might think about incorporating a special learning area to facilitate outdoor teaching. Will you include seating and/ or a circle-time area?

Ideas for Seasonal Class Activities Ideas for Seasonal Class Activities

Instructions Once you have assessed the area and shared ideas on what should be included in this breathing place; use the poster paper, markers and guidance material provided to make a plan of how your breathing place will look when completed. This is your opportunity to be as creative as possible. The posters should be finished by 3.15pm. At this point we would like you to take the finished product back to the room you have been assigned for the plenary.