Member Article

Tyne activities flow thanks to Port of Tyne

A donation from the Port of Tyne Community Action Fund at the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland is helping to educate young people about wildlife on the River Tyne.

Young people in North and South Tyneside are benefiting from the Tyne Watch Project, a summer programme of wildlife activity run by Durham Wildlife Trust. The project is being supported by the Port of Tyne Community Action Fund at the Community Foundation, which has funded a series of summer events on the River Tyne. Events include a Pond and Bug Safari, a Bat Walk and an Otter and Water Vole Walk. The events aim to provide fun for young people this summer whilst educating them about the importance of preserving our regions natural surroundings and wildlife.

The Port of Tyne Community Action Fund supports community and voluntary groups in North and South Tyneside, Newcastle and Gateshead and the River Tyne Corridor. The fund supports projects which work with local communities to improve the environment, employability, life-skills or community involvement. The fund is held by the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland.

Durham Wildlife Trust manages nature reserves across the North East, delivering conservation projects to protect our region’s wildlife whilst providing education and volunteering opportunities for thousands of children and adults every year.

Elaine Holdsworth, Fund Development Manager at the Community Foundation said:

“Support from the Port of Tyne Community Action fund has helped Durham Wildlife Trust to deliver its Tyne Watch Project, a programme of summer activities that not only brings joy for children and young people in our region but helps to educate them about the natural beauty that surrounds us and its role as a natural habitat.”

Heather Coltman, Port of Tyne Community Action Fund Panel Member, said:

“I thoroughly enjoyed the visit to Shibdon Pond for the Pond and Bug Safari. It was wonderful to see young people taking part, creating bug hotels by recycling plastic bottles and being so positive about our local wildlife. It is important to create enthusiasm about our natural habitat and I’m delighted to see the joy and support of so many young participants this summer.”

Kirsty Pollard, Community Education Officer at Durham Wildlife Trust said:

“We would like to thank the Port of Tyne Community Action Fund for supporting the Tyne Watch Project this summer. We have had some fantastic fun educating young people about wildlife in our region whilst helping them to understand the importance of our natural habitat. From Pond and Bug Safari’s to bat, otter and water vole walks, we’ve been able to spot some fantastic wildlife and bring much joy and enthusiasm by engaging with nature in a healthy and positive way.”

The Tyne Watch project has held a number of events over the summer and has plans for more activity. This includes a Bat Walk on Thursday 27 August where young people can discover the wonder of these night time flyers and listen to their calls. On Thursday 10 September the project is organising an Otter and Water Vole Walk, where Durham Wildlife Trust staff will talk about some of the region’s most iconic water mammals. The walk will educate young people about how to identify different tracks and signs of these species and search the riverside for clues of their presence.

For more information about Durham Wildlife Trust events visit their website.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Adam Lopardo .