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On the second day of our John Muir Award, everyone met at the YMCA in Derby. Peter Eley, an Education Office who leads conservation activities at the YMCA and Derbyshire WIldlife Trust, met the group to introduce them to the YMCA allotment. Everyone explored the site, and Peter gave an informal talk about what they grow, and the work that needed doing. Everyone donned a high vis vest, got some gardening gloves on, and began work to plant seedlings and help out with the weeding to keep the area clear. Some of the group also helped out with the more physical task of repairing the fences to keep the natural area secure and protected.

The group really bonded after a day of hard work, and Yvonne, Per and Ash were sharing their knowledge of plants and how to identify them throughout the day.

The first day of our John Muir Discovery Award on Tuesday 18th June was spent in Derby city, looking at the wildlife and habitats that can found in an urban area. We had six participants - Per, Ash, Yvonne, Kieran, Hannah and Lisa - doing the Award over the full four days, and four others who could only attend for part of the time.

We started at the YMCA to learn more about the Working for Nature project and who John Muir was and his amazing life. Our Living Landscapes Office, Alex, took everyone on a guided walk on walk through Wilmorton Park, along the canal, across to the Sanctuary Nature Reserve near Pride Park and to Alvaston Park. Check out our photos and video from the day!

On the last day of our discovery award (Friday 28th June), everyone joined the Friday Idle Valley volunteer session to finish off fence repairs and begin some more further across the site.

Some amazing wildlife was spotted throughout the day, including an Eyed Hawkmoth, a Blue-tailed Damselfly, a newt, a baby frog and lots of fungi!

The group got together at the end of the day to share their experiences of the four days. Everyone commented on how beautiful Idle Valley is, and Rob, Hannah, Tristan and Josh want to do more volunteering at the site because they enjoyed it so much - even despite the rain. Now that's a love of nature!