Olympics over: now who can carry the torch to inspire your community?
After an inspirational Olympic month, WWT Washington Wetland Centre, which was founded by Olympian Sir Peter Scott, is setting a challenge for local residents.
Supported by a string of celebrities, WWT Washington is calling on people to write a letter to the public figure, business or celebrity they think has the greatest power to inspire people to care about and make a difference to the natural world in their area.
The 100 most inspiring letters will be chosen by a panel of celebrity judges - including Captain Scott’s grandson, Falcon Scott, Kate Humble, Bill Oddie, Miranda Krestovnikoff and Chris Packham - and posted to the recipients from Antarctica next spring. The letter judged the most inspirational overall will also win a luxury family adventure holiday courtesy of Sani Resort in Greece.
What could you ask someone to do to encourage more local people to connect with nature just as WWT Washington does? Is there a local children’s author you could ask to give their time to do a wildlife storytelling session here? Could one of the big employers in the area sponsor a new birdwatching hide just for young families learning the ropes? Or perhaps you want to think global and ask an international politician or celebrity to do something big to inspire huge numbers of people all over the world to make caring for our natural world a priority?
The Scott 100 Letters campaign is launched 100 years after Captain Scott’s dying letter to his wife, written in Antarctica, led his son Sir Peter Scott to spearhead the modern conservation movement and inspire generations with a passion for the natural world.
Jane Ramshaw, centre manager at WWT Washington, said: “In recent weeks, fantastic letters have been pouring in to www.scott100letters.com from people asking relatives and friends to do specific things to inspire others to take an interest in wetlands, wildlife and the great outdoors. But we believe letters to public figures, be they celebrities, politicians or high profile businessmen, could have the greatest potential to inspire large numbers of people to sit up, take notice and do something good for the natural world.”
Examples of letters received so far are:
Dear Michael Gove: As Secretary of State for Education, I would like you to consider introducing natural history into the national curriculum. Education should inspire, expand the mind, open up the possibility of new experiences and give future generations the power and responsibility to effect positive change. How can we expect young people to care about the plight of spoon-billed sandpipers if they don’t even know what they are? (Alix, from Liverpool)
Dear David Walliams: I think your books are really funny and exciting to read. You really inspire me to want to read more. Could you write a really funny and exciting story about nature? I think it will make more people help the environment by using their imagination outdoors. (Rosie, aged 10, from Bristol)
One of the celebrity judges, TV naturalist Chris Packham commented: “Igniting an interest in life in young people is the only way we will prevent our own extinction. Give them freedom to explore and then give them a pen."
Jane Ramshaw concluded: “As a child, both Scotts, father and son, were heroes for many of us. It is incredible to consider the power wielded by those few words – ‘make the boy interested in natural history’. In our world of non-stop tweets and emails, letter writing remains a very persuasive medium. Now, more than ever, we need to follow Scott’s example to inspire the next generation.”
For more details, inspiration for letters from those already entered, or to submit a letter to a chosen public figure, visit www.scott100letters.com before the closing date of 30 November.
Scott of the Antarctic exhibition – at WWT Washington throughout September
'Scott of the Antarctic' was a naval officer and explorer, who died attempting to be the first to reach the South Pole in 1912. His son Peter, aged just two when his father and his companions perished, went on to found the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT); parent charity of WWT Washington Wetland Centre.
From 10 September, WWT Washington is hosting an exclusive Scott of the Antarctic exhibition, marking the 100th anniversary of Captain Scott's intrepid journey.
Visitors can discover more about Scott’s historic expedition and those of other polar explorers through stunning photographs and by handling and trying on real polar exploration equipment. They can also view a copy of his last letter, which went on to inspire Sir Peter Scott to become one of the greatest conservationists of our time.
The exhibition is open throughout the day in the barn, no need to book and cost is included in admission. Please email info.washington@wwt.org.uk or call 0191 416 5454 for details.
