'Building Biodiversity' at Christians Aware Summer School

Ellen Teague and Judith Allinson

Source: Christians Aware

Christian Aware's summer school this year aims to raise awareness of the interconnectedness of all life on Earth and to increase commitment to its flourishing. It will be held 23-28 July, on the theme of 'Building Biodiversity', at Parcevall Hall in the Yorkshire Dales. The gardens are magnificent and include a wide range of plants and trees and a unique rock garden.

The summer school - an annual event of the ecumenical charity - will explore some examples of what is being done to build biodiversity in the Yorkshire Dales, including talks, slide shows, discussions and visits.

This will include learning about 'the 'Wild Ingleborough' project which plans to work with the local community to protect nature. There will be visits to a wild burial ground, and also Bleak Bank Farm, run by John and William Dawson. Participants hope to see the horned Dalesbred sheep and to learn about the struggles the Dawsons and other Dales' farmers face in balancing care of nature with producing food. Stephen Ransden, a farmer in Upper Nidderdale, will speak about 'Maintaining a balanced Heather Moorland.'

One speaker will be Judith Allinson, a botanist who lives in the Dales. Judith will introduce participants to lichens and to Dales' flowers and peat bog. She will accompany the group to Malham Tarn, a conservation area owned by the National Trust and the inspiration for Charles Kingsley's 'Water Babies.'

Jeremy Purseglove has spent a lifetime promoting habitats that are friendly to people and to nature. In his book 'Working with Nature' he has shared his experiences of travelling and working around the world to bring harmony between wild nature and cultivation by humans. Jeremy will share some of his work and passion for the future of Earth.

Ellen Teague, a Catholic journalist and part of the Columban missionaries' Justice, Peace and Ecology Team, will speak on 'Faith at the UN's Biodiversity COP' and on 'Saving Habitats Globally'. Jane Skinner, an Anglican priest, will present a case study of Lundy Island.

Participants in the summer school will work as a community during the week - sharing worship, bible study and discussion. Stephen Skinner, an Anglican priest, will speak on 'Unity in Diversity - Church, World and God.'

Places still available.

Details at: www.christiansaware.co.uk/