A NATURE lovers' group which has been keeping a close eye on Wharfedale's wildlife for 60 years hopes to sow the seeds of environmental awareness in future generations.

As it celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, Wharfedale Naturalists hopes to enlist the help of schoolchildren in the valley, giving them money to work on their own wildlife projects to help keep the area green and full of life.

The society, which has long-running records of plants and wildlife in the area - and worked on projects including Burley-in-Wharfedale's Sun Lane Nature Reserve and Gallows Hill in Otley - is looking for schools in the communities between Pool-in-Wharfedale and Addingham who want a little help with their own wildlife projects.

Many schools embark on small schemes to encourage nature in their grounds, not only helping the natural environment, but helping with the education of the children.

President of Wharfedale Naturalists, Peter Riley, said a school wildlife project could include a wild flower garden, a sensory garden, a pond, nest boxes or planting native tree species.

He said: "We're looking for schools to approach us if interested and make use of the money for wildlife."

Wharfedale Naturalists has traditionally raised money at its annual coffee morning each autumn, and has given to environmental projects at Ilkley's Nell Bank Centre, Denton Road, among other causes.

So far, two schools in Addingham and Burley have signed up to wildlife projects with the help of the organisation, and two more schools in Otley are involved, but Mr Riley says the Naturalists would like to hear from more Wharfedale schools.

Wharfedale Naturalists plan to give £50 grants to schools, but it hopes to increase the number of schools involved, and may consider giving further sums to local schools once the wildlife schemes have taken off.

Burley and Woodhead Primary School learning support assistant Mrs Fiona Parker, who is in charge of the project at the school, said pupils had visited Sun Lane last year and hoped to visit again this year.

She said: "They are giving us advice and support in our project to create a new school garden."

The group presented the school with a cheque for £50 to buy plants and seeds, she said.

The Naturalists are also offering the opportunity of schools from higher up the River Wharfe, and the Washburn Valley, which falls within the organisation's catchment area.

There are currently more than 400 members in the society, although few children are involved.

It is hoped that getting more schools involved could bring younger people into the organisation, as well as encouraging a healthy interest in Wharfedale's natural surroundings.

Wharfedale Naturalists' diamond anniversary will take place in November, when celebrity television gardener Alan Titchmarsh will visit to give a talk on 'gardening with wildlife', and the society's annual fund-raising coffee morning and nature gift sale will take place.

Tickets for the Alan Titchmarsh talk will be offered first to society members, and may then be offered to members of the wider community.

Among the plans for the diamond anniversary is the publication of a full-colour illustrated booklet about wildlife sites in Wharfedale.

The society is also planning a number of nature field trips during the summer months.

Any Wharfedale school interested in starting a wildlife project, which would like more information on Wharfedale Naturalist's grants, can contact Mr Riley on 01943 862916.

More information about the society and its activities can be found online at www.wharfedale-nats.org.uk.