Know your Trees
Research shows that within minutes of being surrounded by trees and green space, our blood pressure drops, heart rate slows and stress levels come down – spending time amongst trees is good for all of us.
We’ve put together some activities to inspire you observe and appreciate the Island's trees.
Meet the trees of la hougue bie
Have you visited La Hougue Bie on a sunny day, picnicked under the trees or walked up the mound and looked across at the canopy in awe? It’s a great feeling to be able to recognise different species from the leaf shape and the pattern of their branches and bark, so we’ve designed a map to help you get to know them better.
Print a copy before your next trip or pick one up on site when you’re there. The trees are looking forward to meeting you too.
Download the Map
Download the Identifier Guide
Meet the Trees of Hamptonne
The Hamptonne orchard was opened to the public in 1993, it's trees provide a selection of sweet, bitter and sharp flavoured apples. When they're all mixed together they provide a good balance for cider making. Whilst you won't be able to taste the cider made from these apples until you're 18, you can taste their apple juice at La Faîs’sie d’Cidre at Hamptonne every October. There's a map of the apple trees so that you can get to know the orchard.
Water colour tree art lesson
You may think that painting a tree is quite difficult. Our community events curator Nicky Lucas is an artist and is known for drawing and painting trees, here she demonstrates an easy way for children to create a beautiful picture that they can be proud of. It’s a perfect technique for any skill level and age.
Make a Treasure Map at the Castle
The golden age of exploration began in the 15th century and lasted more than 200 years. During the reign of Elizabeth 1, many sailors went in search of unknown lands. There were two main reasons - adventure and money.
The two most famous explorers of the period were Sir Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh. Sir Walter Raleigh was Governor of Jersey between 1600 and 1603. He led many expeditions to America and introduced tobacco and the potato into England. Raleigh was the first Englishman to sail around the world (1577 - 1580) in his ship The Golden Hinde.
Drake started his famous circumnavigation of the World from Plymouth, England on November 15, 1577, passed through the Straight of Magellan (southern tip of South America) into the Pacific, coasted up the western shores of the Americas, crossed to Asia and the Philippines, and finally returned to Britain on September 26, 1580.
Imagine that you are an explorer in Tudor times in search of riches to bring back to your Queen - use this video to inspire you to design and make your own treasure map.
Celebrate
Have a go at some of these creative activities celebrating friendship and kindness with Liberation as inspiration.
Friendship bracelets
Has there ever been a better time to make friendship bracelets? If you’ve never had a go then check out art teacher and textile artist Bianca Padidar’s instruction video. These symbols of ever-lasting friendship are fun to make – it will take a bit of practise but the results will be worth it.
Who will you give your friendship bracelet to?