Earlier this year HugThePlanet was launched - websites for children to upload their images taken, while involved in nature, together with their emotive responses.
The project initiated in Frome, Somerset is destined for global distribution and began with letters, emails and presentation kits to 60 schools in the Frome/ Bath area, as well as that region’s media. Some national media was also alerted.
Concurrent with the launch, web pages were created on Facebook and Flickr. Response soon came from the UK, USA, Costa Rica and Portugal, with free reward badges mailed each month to the senders of the best images.
Since then there has been encouraging response from web-dedicated forest schools, EcopsychologyUK and Children and Nature - established by the American Ecopsychologist Richard Louv.
In September an evening’s talk is planned in Frome which will cover areas such as Ecopsychology, forest schools, gardening and HugThePlanet. A book is also planned for 2013 which will publish the top 100 images with text based on the Frome evening’s talks. Richard Louv, author of the bestselling ‘Last Child in the Woods’ and ‘The Nature Principle’ which deal specifically with the nature deficient syndrome has expressed an interest in writing the foreword to the book. There are plans for franchising the concept and producing merchandise.
But to take the efforts to the next level sponsorship is being sought.
Now the UK, school summer holidays have begun, it is the ideal time for parents, forest school practitioners, activity organisers AND KIDS to refocus their love for nature at the same time as being a valid, involving activity. Uploading images and emotive comments to HugThePlanet is one way of showing love and connection with nature, while interacting with a global, like-minded community of kids and parents.
Mel Sewell
20-07-12
HUG THE PLANET at
www.facebook.com/HugThePlanet and at www.flickr.com/groups/hugtheplanet/
E:
mel_sewell@yahoo.co.uk
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