Natural History GCSE

Please see below a recent letter to the Soceity of Biology from a natural history programming producer. Send your thoughts regarding a GCSE in Natural History to education@societyofbiology.org.

"Dear Society of Biology,

I am writing to ask what you think about suggesting to the Department of Education a GCSE in natural history.

As our society is increasingly urbanised it is vital that young people are encouraged to learn how to observe, identify and record nature, as well as understand the basic interactions in different habitats.  This is distinct from biology or geography in that it will build on the British tradition of observation and recording wildlife established over hundreds of years.
 
In the past Britain’s reputation for recording its natural history was unsurpassed anywhere in the world, as a result we know a lot a bout our animals and plants, woodlands and wetlands.  That knowledge is invaluable in helping us decide the best way to manage our natural environment, and in the years to come we will be faced with huge challenges due to increasing development, population and climate change.  If we educate the next generation about their local natural environment and equip them with the skills to work with it we will be in a much better state to tackle these issues.
 
The GCSE could also broaden to include the history of natural history recording (Gilbert White et al), its influence on art and culture and modern natural history in the media (natural history programming, the growth of NGOs and their work etc).
 
I am a producer of natural history programming on radio, TV and the internet (a staff producer at the BBC Natural History Unit for 20 years and working there as a freelance producer now) and feel strongly that we are failing our young people in helping them engage more directly with nature.  A formal qualification will be a good step in helping increase interest in our natural environment and what it needs to maintain vibrancy and integrity..
 
A Natural History CGSE would require students to:

• Observe birds, mammals, insects, and amphibians in their natural habitats (gardens, parks, woodlands, seashore, moorland etc)
• Record their activities coherently and scientifically at different times of day and times of year.
• Be able to name the major animals and plants in any one habitat.
• Understand the interactions between creatures and vegetation in a variety of habitats, i.e. what food plants are required for butterflies, what is required for woodland diversity, what is the interaction between shore birds and tidal mud etc.
• Be able to produce a scientifically useful set of notes that can be used to contribute to national databases.
• Be able to identify native from non-native species and record their distribution in an area.
• The history of interest in nature in Britain.
• How nature has been depicted through history in art, music, literature etc.
• How nature has shaped our understanding of ourselves and our role.
• How an understanding of natural history helps tackle future problems.

I would be grateful to hear your views"