What hiking taught me about biodiversity
Bianca in Year 10 celebrates hiking as a way to educate yourself about the beauty of nature and the need for conservation.
This weekend Year 10 embarked on their Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award practice expedition on the South Downs. I was anxious. My family are not the type to go on walking holidays. As well as this we hadn’t had the chance to go on our Bronze expedition thanks to Covid. So, our train arrived at Eastbourne, for a weekend that promised walking for hours on end, cooking for ourselves and sleeping in tents. I was not exactly jumping out of my train seat to get going.
A change in heart
However with hindsight I can say, even as I have remaining blisters, that expedition was the highlight of my half term. But how is that? Surely I of all people am too exhausted to even write such an article? As it turns out, I have the natural world (as well as my groupmates) to thank for my motivation!
I disembarked the tram at Wimbledon a few days later with a lot more knowledge. I knew not only how to read a map but what pineapple weed smells like, and was also able to recognise a dock leaf and identify what herbs would make a good tea. Foraging is fun, but it was essential to be guided by experienced foragers to distinguish the delicious from the deadly (or at least the unpleasant).
Our impact on nature made clear
Surprisingly, getting lost on the first day proved an informative experience. When crossing the wrong bridge took us on a detour we found what appeared to be a snake! It lay before us, still and staring, a small brown snake-like creature. Turns out it was a slow worm, not a worm, nor a snake, but a type of lizard without legs! As our instructor picked it up we discovered it had a small wound on its belly. This was most likely from some hiker like us having stepped on it.
Whilst admiring nature, the human impact of nature, not just the urbanisation of land, were ever-present. Whilst in the midst of breathtaking views, it was the odd crisp packet that stuck out among the numerous wild flowers. This made me even more determined to be a responsible steward of our natural environment. And so, the expedition ended up inspiring in ways I was unprepared for.
Get outdoors!
I implore the younger years who may be reading this to take the opportunity to get outdoorsy and try going on an expedition. Or take any other chance that is not your local park! Let my story be a testament that even the most unathletic and unlikely expeditioners can have memorable hiking trips.
