A project exploring how social prescribing and the Arts can work together to improve the health and wellbeing of our communities. Funded by the National Academy for Social Prescribing. Landscape and Environment Back to projects Plants on the Edge Budding Botanists We Need Your Support Today! Donate

A project funded by DEFRA through the Farming in Protected Landscapes scheme using arts and creativity to engage Teesdale primary school children with the landscape in Upper Teesdale and the rare and special flora to be found there. BUDDING BOTANISTS Back to Landscape and Environment Budding Botanists took place from April to July 2024 and was funded by The Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) through the Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) scheme. The project used arts and creativity to engage and inspire children in schools and their families and broaden their awareness of the rich and rare flora of Upper Teesdale (the ‘Teesdale Assemblage’) and its plight. The project aimed to: · Raise awareness of the rare flora of upper Teesdale · Engage and inspire children using arts and creative activity · Develop an interest and understanding of the environmental issues in our local protected landscape The project involved creative workshops and site visits to Cow Green Reservoir for four Teesdale primary schools: Bowes-Hutchinson's C of E Primary School, Cotherstone Primary School, Montalbo Nursery and Primary School and St Mary’s RC Primary School. The project engaged three County Durham based artists to lead the creative workshops: David De La Haye, Louise Taylor and Nat Wilkins. Site visits to Cow Green Reservoir were arranged for students and teachers from the four schools to discover more about the Teesdale Assemblage. The groups investigated the famous Spring Gentian and the history and heritage of these rare flowers. Site visits were accompanied by volunteers from the Teesdale Special Flora Trust and Volunteer Botany Group, including Dr Margaret Bradshaw, who worked with the students to understand the significance of these unique Teesdale flowers. The three artists facilitated creative activities on site in May and afterwards in schools in June, using photography and sound recording techniques. Students explored ideas about the local landscape and generated their own artwork in response. Artwork included photography, sound compositions, cyanotype prints and zines (small magazines). The project culminated in a public exhibition of the students’ work entitled ‘Fabulous Flora!’ at The Witham Art Centre Gallery in Barnard Castle. The exhibition also included an interactive opportunity for visitors to make their own ‘zine’ inspired by the flora of upper Teesdale. Project Gallery A budding botanist Dr Margaret Bradshaw enjoying the craic with the children Drying cyanotypes A budding botanist 1/16 Thank you to our generous Funders: We Need Your Support Today! Donate

Northern Heartlands is a community arts organisation based in south west County Durham. We work with the rural and isolated communities of Teesdale and Weardale, and in the towns and villages of the former Durham coalfields around Bishop Auckland, Shildon, Crook, Willington and Tow Law. We believe in the creative power of communities to bring about change. Our Mission Current Projects Our work is made possible by: Our vision is for strong, connected, and healthy local communities, where people are actively involved in shaping their lives and their environment Support Us And help our communities Donate Now Community member "Thank you for making this fab event happen."