Headed by Landscape Architects, Sally Mays and Helen Lowery, who have been designing gardens and involved in Green Infrastructure in the county for a number of years‘, Artemis' vision is that through finding the right funding, sponsorship and backing and providing adaptable durable and inspiring designs, school grounds will be used in the most effective manner. With a focus on play and using natural resources to spark the imagination, spaces created will include wildlife gardens, quiet play areas, kitchen gardens, art areas, science spaces and nature walks.
Climate Change, the depletion of natural resources, flooding- all these fears have been relayed relentlessly to us through huge media campaigns recently, focusing society's attention on the importance of looking after and respecting 'Mother Nature'. Away from all this hype, however, a far more effective method of disseminating the knowledge, skills and passion to really have an effect in the future is through our children. This is being reflected by the government as a key area of the National Curriculum is to involve and engage pupils with the 'outdoor classroom'.
The atavistic pleasure derived from simple acts such as planting a seed and watching it grow resonates with young minds as this sense of creation and development helps build a wider understanding of our world and their own lives.
A number of campaigns are growing to help schools involve their pupils in these outdoor activities. Simply Gardening for Schools Ltd has already reached approx 6,500 children and aim within the next 5 years to affect 200,000 children's lives in Lincolnshire by design, building and maintaining spaces within schools' grounds for this purpose.
Working with Simply Gardening for Schools Ltd, Artemis are extending this model to Northamptonshire and their initial research carried out during the Autumn Term 2008 has shown a real desire within schools in the area to utilise their external spaces.
This project is an exciting challenge for Artemis, but the enthusiasm and co-operation that has been reciprocated to date by teachers keen to stimulate children into learning the magic unfolding in the environment every second is an inspiration to drive the project forward.
Email: artemis@artemis.uk.net
Telephone: 01604 864745
Website: www.artemis.uk.net