Written by Anna Patel, LEEF Intern and Anna Portch, LEEF coordinator Contact: apatel@wildlondon.org.uk aportch@wildlondon.org.uk

LEEF members have joined together to improve the quality and quantity of environmental and sustainability education in London by sharing skills and experience.

LEEF is continuing to work in partnership with FACE (Farming

and Countryside Education) to educate Londoners about

Food, Farming and the Environment.

A special thank you to the City Bridge Trust for its ongoing

support of LEEF.

LEEF AGM

The 2014 Annual General Meeting took place on the 5th

August at Holland Park Ecology Centre, many thanks to

Trevor Bowyer and the rest of the team for hosting us. Anna

Portch (LEEF coordinator) gave a short presentation on the

achievements of the past year. As well as all the events and

training delivered, LEEF launched its fellowship award to

recognise excellence in the field. In June, over 300 schools

took part in Empty Classroom Day to encourage more people

to take part in outdoor learning and we had three exceptional

volunteers and interns, who deserve special thanks; Chris

Robson Empty Classroom Day coordinator, Christine Evans

finance volunteer and Anna Patel membership and marketing

intern. The AGM closed with the accounts and votes for

elections and re-elections of the Management Committee.

We are delighted to welcome Margaret Burr and Helen

Robertson to the Committee this year. Margaret Burr has 20

years of experience developing the HEC Global Learning

Centre. She has recently retired and plans to spend more

time supporting

environmental education.

Helen Robertson is head of

the Field Studies Centre in

London; she has a background

in environmental science and

an in-depth understanding of

environmental education.

Training: How to observe a session

Before the AGM, training

on ‘How to observe a

session and give useful

feedback’ was delivered by

Neil Herrington - Principal

Lecturer at the Cass School

of Education, University of

East London. Observing

educators delivering

sessions is potentially a

profound way for both the

observer and the educator

to improve their practice.

Teacher training has long

used this method to

improve practice and

LEEFers are investigating the possibility of using observation

more to improve the quality of Environmental Education.

Top five tips for observing a training session!

1. As an observer, be explicit about what aspects of

the delivery you are focusing on.

2. Ensure the trainer is aware of the relationship

between yourself and them and make them feel

comfortable.

3. Observe from all sides of the room, you may have

different perspectives on the same situation.

4. Be aware of the wider context of this session,

consider all the information you have on the trainer

and scenario beyond what you clearly see at the

time e.g. they are understaffed that day.

5. Always make time for a discussion before and after

the session.

LEEFlet Using Observation

Figure 2 How to observe session training

Figure 1 LEEFers chatting at the AGM

Written by Anna Patel, LEEF Intern and Anna Portch, LEEF coordinator Contact: apatel@wildlondon.org.uk aportch@wildlondon.org.uk

Part of becoming a LEEF Fellow, members need to observe a

session and give the educator written feedback. Contact LEEF

if you are interested in having a session observed by a fellow.

LEEF Fellowships

Inspired by the Guilds in London, LEEF has decided to recognise excellence within our own field by awarding fellowship to outstanding Environmental and Sustainability Educators. Nobody told the fishmongers that their work was of value, they decided it among themselves and until we are confident in describing our work we cannot expect the rest of society to value what we do.

Lorna Fox was one of the first six LEEFers to be awarded a fellowship in recognition of her outstanding work in environmental education.

Lorna was selected for her work

with London Wildlife Trust; as the

Regional Development, Site and

Project Manager, South London.

Since awarded the fellowship

Lorna had been appointed as the

National Learning Advisor for the

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust.

Lorna’s Q & A’s

How did you get where you are today?

I started working as a practical conservation volunteer at

Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve and loved seeing

people come to the reserve and be so enthused about being

outdoors. My light bulb moment of wanting to specialise in

environmental education was when I was in the Caribbean

and teaching children about coral polyps. The enthusiasm and

fun was so infectious that I thought ‘That’s it – that’s what I

want to do for the rest of my life!’

What tips would you give someone starting out in your

field?

Keep going! Your zest and enthusiasm is vital and new ideas

are really important – so keep at it. Volunteer, find out about

training, network, and be persistent!

Do you have a recommendation for LEEF members?

Come and visit us at the Centre for Wildlife Gardening!

How would you like to see Environmental or Sustainability

Education develop in the next 10 years?

I’d like to see it become fully integrated and mainstream in all

schools and within UK society, rather than a ‘tagged on’,

additional concept.

Upcoming events

Reading Group Film Night

LEEF reading group explores other mediums

30/09/2014 6-8pm at Camley St Nature Park

Things go bump in the night

Finding creatures that emerge at dusk

02/10/2014 2014 6:30-9pm at Lambeth Palace Park

How to work with volunteers

Creating a mutually beneficial relationship

28/10/2014 1:30–5pm at Isis Education Centre

Please see LEEF website for more details.

To book a place on any of these events please make payment

to LEEF and RSVP to Anna Patel, apatel@wildlondon.org.uk.

Have you filled in the LEEF annual survey yet?

Please follow the link to fill it in and help us to improve

environmental education in London!

http://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/119915HBLTN

London Environmental Education Forum

Figure 1 Lorna Fox