The Trustees of the Ernest Cook Trust believe that, as a land based educational charity, the resources of the Trust should be used to increase public awareness and understanding of the countryside and the environment. The appointment of a team of Education Officers has allowed the Trust to take forward and extend this important aspect of its work.

Anne Newman, Head of Education, is responsible for working with schools in order to develop educational opportunities on the Trust's Gloucestershire Estates.

Education Officer Anne Newman

The benefit of the Trust employing its own Education Officer is the ability to forge close links between local schools and the ECT's tenant farmers. Regular farm visits will give school children an introduction to farm animals and the different methods of farming, as well as providing an opportunity to observe the countryside and the changing seasons at first hand: clear connections will be made with the National Curriculum.

As learning is a life long process, the Education Officer will also work with other groups in the community to offer adults an insight into the countryside. This will be achieved through both talks and farm walks.

In order to avoid duplication of resources, links are also being established with a number of organisations (several of which are supported through the ECT Grants Programme) which also aim to advance countryside and environmental education.

There is continuing work on conservation
projects on all the ECT estates; for example uniformed youth groups have been involved in tree planting schemes and special interest groups have carried out localised research and record keeping into various species.

For further information on any of the above or to discuss an educational visit, please contact Mrs Newman at the address on the Home Page.