Hi everyone.

My name is Miss Pantow and I'm really excited and glad you decided to join me on this science lesson.

So our lesson today is going to be focusing all on nature reserves.

Now don't worry too much if you're not too sure what a nature reserve is 'cause that's what the whole point of our lesson is going to be today.

Our lesson today is part of our bigger unit of learning on living things and the environment.

We've got lots of learning to do today so let's get started.

So the outcome for our lesson today is I can describe how nature reserves can have a positive impact on the environment.

We're going to be learning about what nature reserves are, but actually, what the positive impacts they have on the environment.

So during our lesson today, we're going to be coming across some different keywords.

So we've got positive impact, protected, urban, nature reserve and ecology.

So what I'd like you to do is pause the video here and with your talk partner, take it in turns to read out the definitions to each other.

Once you've done that, click play and we'll continue with the lesson.

Off you go.

Brilliant reading everybody, well done.

So our lesson today is split up into two parts.

So the first part of our lesson, we're going to be focusing on what nature reserves actually are and then we're going to use that knowledge to help us plan for nature reserves.

So Sam says "We've been learning about how environments can change and how this can have a negative impact on the plants and animals that live there." Andeep says "A negative impact on an environment caused by humans includes dropping litter." Now, dropping litter can have huge impacts on animals and plants that live in the area 'cause actually it can cause them a lot of harm.

Can humans have a positive impact on environments too? So we've spoken here about negative impacts, but can humans have a positive impact too? What do you think? Great, so actually humans can have a positive impact on the environment too.

And so our lesson today is going to be focusing on how.

So the impact of something is the effect it has.

So a positive impact is when people's actions help other living things and their environment.

Can you think of what humans can do to have a positive impact on different environments? So pause the video here and have a think with your talk partner.

You might want to write down some of your ideas on a whiteboard.

So what do you think? What things can humans do to have a positive impact on the environment? So thinking about what things humans can do to actually help the environment.

What do you think, write down your ideas.

Excellent, so there's actually lots of different things that humans can do in order to help our environment.

So let's do a check of our learning.

A positive impact the environment is when humans clear green spaces and cut down trees to build towns and cities to live in.

Do we think this is true or false? Excellent, we know that this is false, but can you tell me why this is false and can you maybe change this statement so that it is correct? Excellent, well done.

So actually a positive impact is when humans take action to look after and help the environment and the living things.

Super job everybody, well done.

So Sam says, "I read that humans are cutting down trees to make space for growing crops.

What action can humans take to correct the negative impacts of deforestation?" So what can humans do to correct deforestation? What can we do, do you know? Super job, well done.

So humans can have a positive impact by planting trees in areas that have become empty or spoiled.

And this is called reforestation.

So they're restoring the areas by planting trees.

Planting trees in areas where forests have been cut down, such as parts of the Amazon rainforest helps to restore habitats for wildlife and improve the air quality.

So planting more trees will improve the habitat, for example of the Howler monkey who lives in the rainforest.

Moving on, Andeep says, "When I went on holiday I saw some people leaving litter, including plastic objects on the beach as waste.

What action can humans take to correct negative impacts of plastic pollution?" So we can see here an example of a picture of a beach, which unfortunately has gotten lots of plastic rubbish on there that have been left by humans.

So what things and what actions can humans take in order to correct this negative impacts of plastic pollution, what do you think? Excellent, well done.

So people can make a positive impact by taking parts in beach and river cleanups.

Removing plastic from these areas protects marine life, preventing them from choking on harmful waste.

So as humans, what we can do is actively collect that rubbish or the pollution that is on the floor to make sure that it is not going to harm any marine life or any plants or animals in that environment.

Reducing waste and pollution can improve water quality, creating cleaner rivers, lakes, and oceans.

So ensuring if we see rubbish, we put it in the bin and if we have rubbish ourselves, we make sure we put it in the bin or recycle it at the nearest possible place.

Let's do a check of our learning.

Which of these examples are examples of positive human impacts on different environments? A, reforestation B, deforestation, C, dropping litter, D, beach cleanups.

So which of these are examples of positive human impact on different environments? So examples of things that are good things that humans can do that will have an impact on different environments.

Excellent, well done.

So reforestation and beach cleanups are two examples of things that humans can do in order to help our environment.

Let's move on.

So Sam says there is a construction site near to where I live and they are building more homes and shops on a large piece of land where plants and animals live.

What action can humans take to correct negative impacts of urban development? So urban development is talking about creating new homes, new shops and things for humans to use and to go in and to live in.

So what actions could human take? Brilliant, well done.

So humans should create safe spaces where plants and animals are protected and can live safely.

So it's not saying that those new homes can't be built, but it's important that where they are being built is planned carefully to ensure that where those plants and animals are living, that that area is protected and those plants and animals are still able to live safely.

Let's move on.

This sounds like a great idea.

The headline in our local newspaper said, council to create nature reserves amongst Urban developments.

Andeep says, "I think a nature reserve is a place you can visit to see nature and towns and cities." What do you think? What do you think the phrase nature reserves means? Excellent ideas, everybody, well done.

So nature reserves are areas of natural land or water set aside for the protection of living things.

So it's almost like a protected area where humans are not able to build on there or to remove or destroy any of the things that are in that space.

Do you know of any other nature reserves near you where you live? So maybe pause the video here and have a think maybe in your school grounds or maybe similar to where you live.

Do you know of any nature reserves around you and what do they look like? Great thinking everybody, well done.

Sam says, "I went on holiday to America and visited Yellowstone National Park.

It was a huge area of protected land, which is nearly the size of Northern Ireland.

It was the first national park in the world." And here is an example, a picture taken from Yellowstone Park.

Andeep says, "Oh yes, a national park is similar to a nature reserve.

They're both created by humans to protect natural environments and wildlife within them from being damaged or destroyed." So nature reserves and national parks are protected areas.

Do we have any places like this in the UK? What do you think? Pause the video here.

Have a discussion with your talk partner.

Do you think we have places like this in the UK or do you think they're only in far away places? Excellent ideas, everybody, well done.

So Sam says, "In my town we have a park with a large area of land set aside for a wild flower meadow surrounded by trees.

This is a place where lots of different birds, animals, and insects like scribbles and butterflies can live safely." Andeep says, "In my town we have a protected wetland that opens onto the river.

We get a lot of wading birds and I saw a kingfisher." We can see a kingfisher here.

This beautiful bird.

With careful planning, humans can take action to correct negative impacts on environments by providing places for living things, even in an urban area.

For example, we can have a lake for fish, amphibians and water birds to live in.

We can have trees and they provide food and shelter for birds and squirrels and grass meadows provide food for deer and small animals to shelter and make boroughs to raise their young.

So actually there's still lots of different places within an urban area that can be protected and can actually have a positive impact on plants and animals living in those areas.

Let's do a check of our learning.

True or false? We don't have to create nature reserves in urban areas because there are plenty of spaces for living things in the countryside.

True or false? Brilliant, we know the answer is false, but can you tell me why? Why is this statement false? Brilliant, well done.

So when new urban areas are developed, they often harm the environments of many living things.

We need to ensure that we include suitable places for these animals to live as there isn't always enough space outside of towns and cities.

Well done everybody.

Let's move on.

So in urban areas, nature reserves can include grass verges left to grow with wildfires for pollinators, hedges instead of fences for animals to shelter and easily pass through.

But also roundabouts are left to grow wild to provide habitats for different animals.

So when creating this roundabout, for example, it could have been that those green areas were tarmacked over, but actually in ensuring that the greenery is still there, supports animals and plants living there.

People living in urban areas can help to create nature reserves too.

So they can register their garden spaces to be part of a nature reserve and create wildlife friendly features such as a water feature, a wood pile, bird box and pollinator friendly plants.

You've got an example of a bird box here and we've got an example of a water feature and which type of area do you live? Would you be able to register your garden to be a nature reserve or do you think you could maybe add something to your garden to help it be a nature reserve too? Let's do a check of our learning.

Which of these are examples of natural land set aside for the protection of living things, roundabouts with trees and bushes, garden fences instead of hedges, grass areas left unmowed and trees cut down to make way for new lampposts.

Which of these are examples of natural land set aside for the protection of living things? What do you think? Brilliant, well done.

So roundabouts with trees and bushes are an example, but also in grass areas left unmowed.

Super job every really well done.

So let's move on to the first task.

So I would like you to think about an environment near you.

What areas have been created to help protect living things? And if possible, I'd like you to go for a walk with an adult to spot places where plants and animals have a safe space to live and grow.

So when you're going for your walk, you might want to take a camera or an iPad to take photos of the different places that you spot.

Pause the video here and have a go at this task.

I'm really looking forward to seeing your work.

Brilliant work everybody, well done.

So you might have made some similar observations about your local area.

So we've got the roundabout with trees here.

So for example, in my town, all the roundabouts have trees and bushes planted on them to create small nature reserves for birds to nest.

You may have seen grass verges with wild flowers.

Our council has left the grass verges long, so lots of wild flowers can grow for the pollinators.

In addition to that, you might have made some similar observations in your local area.

So we can see a dragonfly on the village pond here.

In my village we have a village green with a pond that has been made into a nature reserve to encourage newts and totes to lay their eggs.

There are lots of dragonflies that fly around the water.

Well done for having a good go at that task everybody.

And I hope you enjoyed your walk around your local area.

So we've learned about what nature reserves are and we've looked at some examples.

So we're now going to use that knowledge to help us plan for nature reserves.

So Sam and Andeep are finding out about nature reserves near to where they live.

Sam says, "Nature reserves provide protected spaces for animals and plants to thrive and to be enjoyed humans." Andeep says that "Some urban planners have designed new towns with areas of land and water set aside for the protection of living things." When urban planners decide which areas to include in nature reserves, they get help from special scientists called ecologists.

Ecologists study how living things interact with each other and their environment.

And this type of science is called ecology.

So it's a different type of science than we're used to.

The Wetlands Centre is a beautiful nature reserve in the heart of the city of London.

So we can see the image here of the Wetlands visitor centre, but also you can see the beautiful reserve and how large it is.

It is a protected environment for birds and other wildlife and a popular place for people to learn about and enjoy nature.

It's a beautiful place, I'd love to visit there.

In addition to that, Milton Keynes is a city known for its network of parks and lakes and greens spaces.

So we can see Milton Keynes city here.

There's lots of greenery.

We can also see a picture of beautiful Milton Keynes Lake.

There are several nature reserves like the Ouse Valley Park and the Howe Park Wood, which are part of the urban environment to protect local wildlife and provide spaces for residents to view nature.

So although Milton Keynes is a city, actually, there's lots of green space and lakes and places for animals and plants to flourish.

Brandon Marsh is a nature reserve in the city of Coventry.

So another example, we can see an example here, a picture to show us the Brandon Marsh wetlands.

There is a variety of protected habitats including wetlands, woodlands and meadows.

And this urban nature reserve is a popular spot for birdwatching and learning about ecology.

So in these nature reserves is a fantastic place for you to learn more about the different animals and plants that live in the reserve.

Let's do a check of our learning.

Why would an urban planner set aside areas of natural land or water in a new town? A, to grow trees to chop down, to make things.

B, to encourage more people to come and visit.

C, to protect living things that live in the area or D, to give people a place to enjoy living things.

So why would an urban planner set aside areas of natural land or water in a new town? Brilliant, well done.

So to protect living things in that area, but also to give people a place to enjoy living things and actually to learn more about living things.

Let's move on.

Sam says, "We have been on a school trip to Saltwells National Nature Reserve.

It's one of the UK's largest urban nature reserves." We've got an image here of the Saltwells National Nature Reserve.

Andeep says, "Our local council created this natural reserve as part of a countrywide initiative to provide protected for spaces for animals and plants." So also lots of local councils are working really hard to create these spaces.

Jacob says, "Protecting the woodland at Saltwells Nature Park means that animals like squirrels and birds will have a suitable habitat for shelter and food." Sam says "The clay pits and grassland at the Nature park provide places for rare orchids, dragonflies, and birds, including Reed buntings to live and have offspring." So it's a fantastic place and opportunity for these different rare species to live and to also have offspring.

Let's do a check of our learning.

Which of these features may a planner include in a nature reserve? A, a place to watch birds.

B, a place to go shopping.

C, a place for animals to shelter.

D, a place for humans to live.

So which of these features may a planner include in a nature reserve? Brilliant, so a place to watch birds, but also a place for animals to shelter.

So nature reserves can help to stop activities that could harm the natural environment and restore areas that have been damaged by human activity.

A nature reserve has rules that people must follow and they're not allowed to cause any damage when they visit.

This nature hide provides a quiet space to observe plants and animals without disturbing them.

So actually it's really important when we're going into these nature reserves, that we leave the animals and plants to continue living and growing and growing.

It's important that when we go as humans, we do not cause any damage.

Ecologists working in nature parks often plant new trees and remove harmful plants or waste that has been left behind by humans.

Carrying out wildlife surveys helps ecologists keep plants and animals healthy and protected and identify any problems that may cause living things to become endangered.

Let's do a check of our learning.

True or false, nature parks can help restore areas that have been damaged by humans.

Do we think that's true or false? Brilliant, the answer is true, but can you tell me why this is true? Excellent, so we know that nature parks provide protected spaces for animals and plants where human activity is limited by rules to help prevent further damage.

Let's move on to the next task.

So imagine you're an urban planner who is designing a new town in the UK.

Which plants and animals could be affected when roads and buildings are built on the land where they live? And what will you need to provide in a nature reserve to make sure the plants and animals are protected? So pause the video here and have a go at this task.

Before thinking about the nature reserve, you may want to draw an example nature reserve and annotate it.

Or you might like to write your ideas down in a paragraph.

It's completely up to you.

Pause the video here, have a go at the task and we'll talk through an example answer really soon.

Brilliant work everybody, well done.

So these living things could be affected if their habitat was built upon plants like trees, bushes, hedgerows, birds like owls, finches, waterfowl.

Small mammals like mice, hedgehogs, water voles, bats.

Insects like dragonflies and butterflies, amphibians like frogs, newts and toads.

Did you get those examples? Well done for having a good go.

So the next question was, what would you need to provide in your nature reserve to make sure the plants and animals are protected? So you may have drawn a picture like this of your nature reserve.

So let's go through the animations.

Clay pits for rare orchids we've got there.

We've got wildflower meadow for pollinators, a rubbish bin for people to put rubbish in, bird feeders when less food available in winter.

We've got hedges for shelter and food.

We've got a hide for people to observe wildlife in so they're not disturbing the wildlife.

A pond and wetland for fish, birds and newts.

And we've got bat and bird boxes for roosts and nests.

So we can see here in this nature is that we've got lots of different opportunities and places for living things, plants and animals to flourish and in order for them to be safe and protected in their habitat.

Well done for having a good go at this task everybody.

I'm so impressed with your different nature reserves that you've created.

Now we've come towards the end of our lesson.

So let's do a summary of our learning.

So a positive impact happens when changes help the environment and the living things within it.

Humans can take action to correct negative impacts, such as creating nature reserves amongst urban developments.

Nature reserves are areas of natural land or water set aside for the protection of living things.

Urban planners have designed new towns with areas of land and water set aside for the protection of living things.

Nature reserves can help to restore areas damaged by human activity.

So in our lesson today, we focused on what nature reserves are and how they can help the environment.

And it's really important that when visiting these nature reserves, you take extra care not to cause any damage.

Now a huge well done to you all, I'm so impressed with all of the learning you've done today.

I hope you have a great rest of the day and I'm sure I'll see you really soon, bye bye.