Nature Classroom Opens at Hauxley Reserve

Northumberland Wildlife Trust has unveiled a new woodland classroom at its Hauxley nature reserve, near Morpeth. This initiative provides an outdoor learning environment designed to benefit both children and adults, replacing a former playground that had reached the end of its service life. The trust emphasizes the positive impact of nature-focused settings on public health, citing improved activity levels and mental resilience among individuals with access to natural surroundings.

The structure is built using natural wood, incorporating materials from other trust reserves, and is intended to complement existing indoor learning facilities. Funding for this project was secured through an £8,100 grant from the Nadara Sisters North Steads Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund. The trust anticipates that baby and toddler groups, Scout and Brownie troops, school classes, and creative organizations will utilize the new classroom to engage with nature in a novel way.