York St John theatre students create story-filled outdoor trail for local families

Students Jane Corbett, Ellie Cook, Maia Mcconnell and Jack Roddis co-founded the Talking Trees Project as part of their final year undergraduate theatre degrees. In collaboration with St Nicks Nature Reserve in York, the project combines storytelling, music, arts, and the environment.

Using QR codes and a map of St Nicks, distinct trees are brought to life across the 24-acre reserve with an audio story along with a nature-based activity.

Jane Corbett, theatre student at York St John University and one of the students leading the project, said: "The Talking Tree Project was created to awaken the wonder and magic that children can gain from a connection with the natural world. Using storytelling and nature-based activities, we hope to inspire children to use their hearts and hands to build meaningful relationships with a local, natural place and ultimately encourage future generations to care for local green places." 

"During lockdown, the whole group had really experienced the benefits, both mentally and physically, from accessing local green space on a more regular basis and we were encouraged to enthuse children to spend more time outdoors too.  As a group, we feel passionately that we need the magic of Mother Nature more than ever after the pandemic."

The trail map of Saint Nicks is found on the Talking Trees website, as well as onsite arrows dotted around the trail to guide participants to the next tree.

Access to the audio story telling is available using QR codes on the notice boards at the entrance to Saint Nicks. Alternatively, visitors can listen via the Talking Trees website, which offers links to each trees story and can be listened to through a phone or tablet.

The Talking Tree Project is free and available 7 days a week throughout the summer holidays. Visit Home | Talking Tree Project (wixsite.com)