‘Let’s inspire the next generation’ - Nick Baker’s environmental message at Norfolk park’s nature day

Today’s adults can help inspire the next generation to cherish the environment, says naturalist and television presenter Nick Baker.

Mr Baker is the special guest at today’s (Saturday, May 12) Wild About the Wensum nature day at Pensthorpe Natural Park, near Fakenham.

Thousands of people including groups of Scouts and Brownies flocked to the beauty spot for activities and exploration designed to get them excited about the environment.

Mr Baker, 46, said: “You can become a mentor for a younger generation. They’re all there to be inspired and you can open up all these doors and all these adventures for them.

“These are the sort of gatherings that can potentially change the course of your life.”

Bill Jordan, who owns the park with his wife Debs, said Wild About the Wensum, which has been running for 12 years, was always a highlight.

He said: “We’re very keen to give the younger generation an understanding of nature, and also to enjoy it. It’s a balance of fun and play and this event has really been designed like that.”

Children had the chance to take part in a bug hunt as well as ‘Hootz House’ play sessions, and learn about nature from groups including the Norfolk Biodiversity Information Service, the Wensum Valley Birdwatching Society, Butterfly Conservation, the Norfolk Badger Trust and more.

Pensthorpe is set over 700 acres of natural landscape and is home to many species of birds and other animals.

The park runs reintroduction projects for species such as red squirrels and corncrakes, a migratory farm bird last common in the region about 100 years ago.

The nature day also featured a trail of leveret sculptures which are part of this year’s GoGoCreate and GoGoHares! charity art project.

Mr Jordan said: “The theme is ‘hare today, gone tomorrow’ and there’s a serious message behind that which the red squirrels are part of.

“They’re real examples of wildlife that we’ve got to hold onto and it’s going to be these young guys who get the job.”

Mrs Jordan said: ““Not only are the leverets representative of the school and community groups who decorated them, but they will demonstrate the beauty of these majestic, and not commonly seen, creatures.”