Nature Connection Walkthrough
A healthy ecosystem is a priority for Belmont, the underlying soil for everything that is grown on top. Part of this nourishment and protection stems from appreciating and caring for the natural world; but this admiration cannot happen without a primary understanding. So, Belmont started the Nature Connection programme in 2021, a unique approach encouraging people of all ages to embrace the natural world and their place within it.
As of Autumn 2025, Belmont has hosted over 500 Nature Connection sessions, roots reaching out to over 14,000 individuals. Every Nature Connection session has its own unique footprint but here is an example of a school session led by Martin Williams, our Head of Nature Connection. After the session, we received an envelope filled with handwritten cards with fantastic illustrations of the class’s day at Belmont. Read on to see some of these and other beautiful letters sent to Julie, our Senior Nature Connection Facilitator.
In July a Primary School visited, twenty-six eager children buzzing with the chance to be wild. The day started with a walk through the woodlands and around the river. The children followed the flow of the water, adapting to the dynamic curves of the river bends, a direct contrast to neat concrete lines of streets.
They became acquainted with some Watercress residents, the Devon Ruby Red cows, including the three young calves. They even watched the calves cross right in front of the group, heralded by the cries of their mothers. One girl said she had never seen any animals except for cats and dogs, excited by the creatures existing in front and alongside her.
The highlight of the day for many was playing in the river. The anticipation began building from the moment the children saw the water. They waited suspended, springing to life when Martin asked, “what are you waiting for?”, rushing straight to the muddy banks. Splashing around with their friends, every child went in at least knee deep. Reaching across the river were branches and trees, which quickly became nature’s climbing frame. They were not alone in the water and discovered a simple joy in sharing space with the aquatic creatures. Two girls found a tiny frog, the size of a thumbnail. Instead of the frog being hidden in a closed palm, they invited their friends to come see what they have found. The children responded with gentleness and patience, helping the frog to find shelter again, and sharing their joy with one another. A couple of girls who originally did not want to get wet and muddy ended up sitting crouched in the water, big grins splitting their small faces.
After the river, the children took on the mantle of jungle explorers, hunting through wild grass to sit at the roundhouse, where they snacked on popcorn cooked over a fire. They loved sitting and listening to exclamations of the corn as it popped. Lunchtime was spent outside, and even though wasps came to visit, the children were not afraid but welcomed sharing the space with wildlife.
The final part of the day was spent observing, collectively concentrating on the chirp of a bird, or watching delicate patches of sunlight in the river. During a short walk around the meadows, each child was transfixed by a soldier beetle or ladybird climbing a yellow ragwort plant. Watching a spiders sharp pointed legs balance on the tightrope of a web. For a full sensory experience, the children walked through the wood in silence. An opportunity to notice what they heard or smelt or saw, the sensations overcame them gently like ripples in a pond. Even their teachers said they had never seen the students that quiet before, observing their ecosystem with the calmness of a tree.
As the day drew to an end, many began to feel the hot weather bearing down on them. They were given one last chance to run and suddenly all complaints disappeared into the dust as they ran.
The children whole-heartedly embraced every part of being outside: from the crunch of dried mud beneath their feet to jumping around in the river, they were connected to and with our natural world.
These beautiful cards are full of love for the outdoors, the drawings exhibiting how just spending a few hours in nature forms a symbiotic friendship.
If you know a class or group for adults or children who would be interested in experiencing Nature Connection, please do get in touch at [email protected].