HUNDREDS of schoolchildren have been learning how to protect their local environment as part of a year-long programme.
From litter picks to lessons on the wildlife of the River Freshney, pupils in North East Lincolnshire have been discovering more about the waterways on their doorstep, while also helping to clean up their communities.
Campaigner and conservationist James Elliott, known as the Canoe River Cleaner, has been working in partnership with the borough council to educate primary school-age youngsters about the natural environment and their nearby waterways. Local areas have also been made cleaner with litter-picking sessions, and equipment has been gifted to every school he has visited to keep up the good work.
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“Throughout the school year, I’ve spoken to countless young people and have been impressed by them every week,” he said. “They’ve listened, understood, and then put everything into practice on litter-picks.
“We talk about what animals live in our local river and why they’re so important. For example, I teach them about the apex predator of the River Freshney – the otter.”
Since embarking on the project in November, James has visited 17 primary schools, a pre-school, and has organised eight community litter-picks.
