Thu. Sep 19th, 2024

Dusty’s Wildlife Rangers at WWT London Wetland Centre 

This summer bring your kids to WWT London Wetland Centre so they can enjoy the excitement of becoming a Wildlife Ranger! Children of all ages can join Dusty Duck, pick up their very own log book and collect stickers for each exciting activity they complete.

A full day of discovery and adventure awaits families with a wide variety of wildlife ranger activities being held including:

Pond dipping –

 what fascinating creatures can you catch in your net?

Ranger training –

join our wardens to find out what it takes to become a real wildlife ranger. We’ll show you how to identify reptiles, how to recognise animals tracks and much more!

Wildlife recording –

explore the reserve and record what you find. Can you mark where it is on a map?

Wild play –

join our team for this crafty session to learn more about nature and to see what you can create.

Spotlight talks –

find out more about your favourite wetland animals. Whether it’s our eiders, cranes or screamers that intrigue you, you’re sure to discover loads!

Match nature’s colours –

search the site to discover nature’s astonishing summer colours.

Children will be encouraged to record their findings and experiences in their log books, like a real life ranger, as a permanent reminder of their wild day out.

Scott Petrek, one of WWT’s real life wildlife rangers said:

“I love being a wildlife ranger for WWT and helping to care for and protect our amazing wetland animals.  We thought families would welcome the chance to experience what it’s like to be a ranger through a series of fun-packed, mini adventures, including activities that I do as part of my day to day job.  Hopefully, we’ll also inspire some of our younger visitors to become the wildlife rangers of the future, helping to create a world where healthy wetland nature thrives and enriches lives.”

Dusty Duck’s rather handsome ‘look’ was created by Aardman Animations (makers of the fab Wallace and Gromit).

He lives in a wetland and he’s called Dusty because when he was a little duckling his own watery home was drained and became a ‘dust bowl’ so he made his new home here.  He wants all his water-loving animal pals to be able to live happily in fantastic wetlands and thinks children are the best people to help make this happen.

About WWT London Wetland Centre is a 105 acre wetland visitor centre in Barnes, southwest London, an international award-winning visitor attraction and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It is home to a wide range of wildlife species including birds, water voles, bats and amphibians. Facilities include six wildlife hides, Kingfisher Kitchen, Observatory, a gift shop and free car park. The Centre also has indoor and outdoor adventure play areas for children.

More info

By Penny McCarthy

Penny McCarthy is a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Parents News UK, a pioneering publication launched in 1993 to serve the needs of busy parents in Southwest London. Alongside her husband, Fergus McCarthy, Penny played a crucial role in the rapid expansion of the printed edition, which grew from a local startup to a widely circulated monthly publication with a reach of 192,000 copies across Kent, South London, and beyond. Under Penny’s leadership, Parents News quickly became a trusted resource for families, providing valuable information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly events. Her vision helped the publication extend its influence with franchises in Northern Ireland and Cornwall, catering to a growing demand for accessible, family-oriented content. In 1997, recognising the importance of digital media, Penny spearheaded the launch of Parents News UK Online. The website initially mirrored the content of the printed editions and has since evolved into a comprehensive online resource for parents, achieving significant popularity with up to 700 daily hits. In 2017, the publication transitioned fully to an online platform, continuing to inform and engage families across the UK. Today, Penny remains deeply involved in the ongoing success of Parents News UK, focusing on innovative advertising opportunities and future growth plans. Her dedication to supporting families through accessible and practical content has made Parents News a cherished name in households across the country.

Related Post