MP joins in congratulations for contribution of Barnet Environment Centre towards introducing children to nature and wildlife

Barnet Environment Centre’s three wildlife ponds are one of the most popular attractions for school pupils and students who visit the seven-and-a-half-acre nature reserve and environment education centre off Byng Road.

Robyn Stern (above), a science and biology teacher, who takes children around the reserve, was praised for her inspirational work at an event celebrating the centre’s 50^th anniversary.

Guest of honour Dan Tomlinson, MP for Chipping Barnet, congratulated Robyn on her contribution to the centre’s mission of introducing and explaining the importance of nature conservation and wildlife.

“I’m the lucky one,” said Robyn. “I get all the fun from seeing how excited children get when they see things for the first time.

“Pond dipping gets an amazing reaction as the children discover what lives just below the surface of the water.

“One child rushed over claiming he had just found a baby dragon. It was a baby newt which he had never seen before.

“He and the rest of his class were amazed to discover all the tiny larvae and beetles that were living in the pond.”

One disappointment this year is the absence of frog spawn – a worrying development said volunteer Tony Pearson who helps manage the ponds – and is working with volunteers on constructing a fourth.

“We do have lots of newts again this year, although sadly no frogs but there is still lots to see once the children dip into the ponds.

“There are water beetles, larvae of dragonfly, midges as well as caddisfly larvae and damselfly nymphs.” 

Bernard Johnson, a vice chair of the centre, welcomed guests including members of Barnet Council, to join in the 50^th anniversary celebrations and to tour the nature reserve to see the work they did giving children an experience of nature.

Again, this academic year the centre expects to be visited by around 2,500 children from 30 plus local schools and colleges.

Students on BTEC, GCSE and A level courses are among the visitors as well as Scouts and Guides – and soon Brownies – who want to complete badge work.

One recent improvement was the installation of a rubberised footpath around the reserve which was wheel-chair friendly and increased the accessibility for children next door from the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice.

Mr Johnson thanked the Hadley Trust and the Elstree Masonic Lodge for all their financial support; without their assistance the centre would not be the success it was.

In congratulating the centre on its work, Dan Tomlinson, MP – who cut the 50^th anniversary cake – said it was an amazing achievement to think that 2,500 children a year were getting the chance to visit the reserve and study nature.

“A chance to be outdoors at a place like this is so important for today’s youngsters. It is why we should cherish a nature reserve like this.”

Mr Tomlinson called for a round of applause for the volunteers who assist Robin Stern during school visits, helping to clean up afterwards and keep the centre tidy for the next visit.

He also praised the management of the centre which is currently being shared by its three vice chairs (from left to right), Dick Elms, Dan Tomlinson MP, Bernard Johnson and Geoff Lee.