Involving young people in peatland work - relevance to curriculum
Review
Site
Kéroncel
Who was involved?
Four different schools have taken part in the Breton project so far. They are part of the vocational education system. The young people worked in Magoar-Penvern, to recreate and restore 'talus' raised banks where they were destroyed or weakened.
Students were principally 18-19 years old and studying either 'Nature Management and Preservation' or Natural Sites Management' courses as part of their Tertiary level education. At Kéroncel, 24 students from Lycée Suscinio de Morlaix ,13 from CFA de Pommerit Jaudy and 34 from Lycée Kerplouz d'Auray spent a day working on the site. Eighteen students from Lycée Ville Davy de Quessoy did 4 days work there.
All these schools are in Brittany, from 50 to 150 km away from the project area. Two schools are in the Côtes d'Armor, a bit to the north, one is in the Morbihan (in the south of Brittany) and one is in Finistère (in the west of Brittany).
Why the enthusiasm?
In most case the teachers themselves made contact with the site managers. Indeed they are looking for this type of work on natural sites where their students can get direct experience and involvement. Management work is not so common near the schools which have been involved. A project offering to work to open a site to the public is even less common. That is the main reason why the work has been quite appealing and why most of the schools have been ready to make the necessary journeys.
How did peatland work fit the curriculum?
The young people involved in the projects are from schools which provide Tertiary level vocational training, focused on subjects such as forestry and environmental management. Most already have the 'baccalaureate' school leaving certificate (awarded at 17-18).
Students get a broad theoretical and practical training in site management through their courses, with about ten days each year reserved for practical work at different types of site. So the work they do at Magoar-Penvern and Locarn is a valid part of their curriculum.
At work beside a talus and hurdles.
Click on pictures for larger images.