2010 International Junior Ranger Camp

Learning in and from nature during International Junior Ranger Camp 2010, Mendip Hills AONB (UK) © EUROPARC Federation

Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) (UK) hosted the 9th International Junior Ranger Camp, from the 24th to the 31st of July 2010.

We were delighted to have a so wide range of protected areas represented at the camp this year: with 40 participants, and 12 protected areas from 8 different countries (Czech Republic, Germany, UK, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Netherlands, Slovenia).

The camp was an extraordinary opportunity to meet, exchange our experiences, to learn something new about our area, the environment and the local traditions.  As this year is the International Year of Biodiversity the activities and presentations were focusing on the biodiversity of the Mendip Hills and participants’ parks.

The programme consisted of fieldwork and cultural activities including visits to Cheddar Gorge and the historic town of Wells.

The camp offered plenty of outdoor activities including caving and climbing. It was located on a wonderful working farm on the levels for the first part of the week, and then we moved to Goblin Combe Environment Centre in a woodland near the AONB.

Below you can download a report of the camp from our previous EUROPARC intern Helena Aster.

About Mendip Hills

The Mendip Hills AONB was designated in 1972 and covers 198sq kms. The area is approx 12 miles south of Bristol (England, UK). The range of hills form steep craggy slopes with a distinctive south-facing escarpment and a gently undulating plateau. The limestone ridge is one of England’s most attractive landscapes – the windswept plateau punctuated by spectacular dry valleys and gorges, ancient sink-holes and depressions, and impressive rocky outcrops.

Learn more about beautiful landscape of the Mendip Hills AONB and their Junior Ranger programme.