Children in Huntingdonshire are being encouraged to get back in touch with nature thanks to a new education pack from the Friends of Holt Island.

Teachers and pupils from Westfield Junior, Thorndown and Holywell schools, along with Huntingdonshire District Council Countryside Services staff and district councillors Jason Ablewhite and John Davies attended the launch of the The Holt Island Nature Reserve Education Pack on May 9.

The pack, which will be available to teachers at primary schools in and around the St Ives area, has 60 projects that children can complete on Holt Island or in other green areas.

A spotter’s guide is also included in the pack so that children are able to identify different plants, animals, birds or insects that they might see on the island.

The pack is part of the group’s attempt to get children to enjoy nature amid concerns that youngsters across the country are spending too long indoors.

Ian Jackson, chairman of the Friends of Holt Island, said: “Over the past few years it has become clear that children are spending far too much time in the house and not enough time outdoors. It has been proven that kids are being disconnected with nature.

“The island is an open wild space where kids can connect with nature. I hope that this publication will encourage teachers to use our beautiful town-centre reserve for class visits, and also take advantage of the interpretation room in our new cabin, The Holt.”

INFORMATION: If other schools in the St Ives area would like to receive a copy, contact Ian Jackson on 01480 385999.