An invitation to an event at The Linnean Society in London requires an affirmative, because to peer at the books and exhibits it holds feels like stepping back in time to an innocent and exciting era in scientific thought. London is full of quirky hidden places, and for a naturalist, this place holds a special power.
I was at first sucked straight past the door, tucked away as it is under an archway, into the impressive Annenberg Courtyard towards the Royal Academy, with its temporary exhibitions on Eco-visionaries and Lucian Freud - I need to get back there! But once inside the Linnean Society I felt weirdly at home amongst gathered naturalists past and present. It occurred to me that it was the confidence I had gained from naming birds and plants as a child, and later understanding how they interacted, that set me off on a path that led to my helping teenagers come to terms with the climate emergency today. And I think many of the other people there that day had had a similar journey - although it does seem that many people consider teens to be a challenging group to work with, while I think its the best.
The event was the 75th Anniversary of the Field Studies Council, a fantastic charity which teaches people young and old to feel at home in the outdoors. I am really interested in what they offer and keen to see if we can share ideas to the benefit of our LIGC students.
It was a day of talks and discussion around the theme of field work. From tales of adventure in far flung places, to urgent visions of how we can solve our climate and ecological emergencies with outdoor education, the day felt collegiate and hopeful. Favourite talk of the day? Prof Pete Higgins. Check out his TED talk. My head is swimming with ideas.
Kim Polgreen