Chimpanzee Conservation - Hollycombe Primary

In the middle of September last year, I began running an after school club at Hollycombe Primary, a beautiful country school where the children spend a lot of time outdoors and love to create. Thinking about where we - human beings - have come from, our conservation art workshops commenced by drawing our closest living relatives; chimpanzees.

We share 98% DNA with our chimp cousins, have expressive faces like them and also have big toes and hands that can grasp. Chimpanzees laugh when playing, hug to show affection and are able to walk upright just like us, so it’s important for young people to realise the significance of chimpanzees in nature, why they’re endangered and ponder ways in which we can help with their conservation (https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/animals/general-animals/10-chimpanzee-facts/).

Last term we also covered how the Amazon rainforest is burning, endangered species and climate change. Each week we would sketch and colour in subjects of environmental concern, as well as having retrospective chats about topics covered in previous classes where the children’s retention of information was really impressive. These kids are being nurtured by Hollycombe Primary School to care and respect our planet and keep it healthy for future life on earth. More info can be found at www.doodleswithmydaughter.co.uk