IN JANUARY 1991 Sally Munn took on a wild project.
She became the manager of a nature study centre.
Her new book, What An Experience! Iver Nature Study Centre, contains her memories of the place, and of the volunteers whose generosity and friendship over the years helped many hundreds of youngsters and adults to learn about the natural world.
Sally first set eyes on the 2.4 acres plot of land that would become so special to her when, as an environmental volunteer, she was asked to write about and to publicise the place.
As she walked around the small meadow, the secret garden, and the ponds, she knew that it was a ‘fabulous place’.
It nestles on the very outer edges of Greater London, not far from Uxbridge Underground Station, just inside the M25 where it meets the M40.
It is an oasis of nature in a corridor of greenery that houses the Colne Valley Regional Park.
In her book, Sally describes some of the creative ways the centre inspired people to love being in the countryside.
Her aim was to make it a welcoming place for all members of the public to learn about and appreciate the value of nature, so she made it accessible for young and old, able bodied and also those with special needs.
And over the years, people who visited out of curiosity, ended up joining Sally’s dedicated team volunteers.
Sally says: “This book is a way for me to say thank you to all the wonderful people who gave their time and their skills, whether it was gardening, carpentry, or crafts.
“They were always willing to help, and they became my second family for 18 years.”
Sally and her team developed a series of hands on educational programmes with games, quizzes, walks and practical projects.
They even built three rainforests.
“I was delighted when children who had come to the centre returned years later with their own young families, and said how much the place had influenced them, and inspired in them a love for nature,” says Sally.
One of Sally’s favourite teaching projects covered three different environments: pond, meadow, and woodland.
“The children would investigate minibeasts from the pond, take bark rubbings and leaf prints in the woods, and then lie down in the meadow, to listen to the sounds,” she says.
“We were quite close to the M25, but they would always notice the birdsong first, and some actually thought the sound of motorway traffic was a waterfall.”
Sally began with only five volunteers, but by the time she left, 50 people gathered to mark her retirement.
“Everyone got on so well, and it was such a strong community,” she says.
“People said that volunteering gave them a purpose, and even helped them to cope during difficult life events.”
Sally’s memories of the centre include watching children encounter bats for the first time, seeing them realise that potatoes grow underground, and helping on apple days in October.
“Everything was fun,” she says.
“People say that the book is filled with laughter, that they can hear children laughing in all the stories and memories.”
Sally’s book may be followed by further publications, as she has written two children’s books and is hoping to find a literary agent.
The nature study centre is still open, renamed The Iver Environment Centre.
Its three ponds, its meadows and woodland are still places where children and adults can learn about the natural world.
For more information visit: www.iverenvironmentcentre.org
Sally’s book, What An Experience! Iver Nature Study Centre, is available at book stores and online.
It costs £12.99 and the ISBN number is: 9781803131818
