Activity: Grouse shooting - discuss a controversial issue
Where?
This is an activity for the classroom, although it could be adapted for a moorland field trip.
Who for?
Key stage 3 and 4 - England and Wales
Who by?
This activity is for you to take, using the resources below.
Time it takes?
Various activities ranging from 15-minutes to up to an hour.
Activity aims:
To investigate the role grouse shooting plays in the economy, conservation and management of upland areas.
Students will learn about or discuss the following topics either through short activities or group discussions:
- how the moorland landscape has developed over time
- how grouse shooting contributes to the maintenance of the moorland landscape and its biodiversity
- the effects of climate change on moorland (and value of peat as a carbon store)
- compare eating wild grouse with eating free-range or battery-farmed chicken (NB discussing animal welfare, sustainability, public perceptions)
- discuss why grouse shooting is a controversial issue
- how grouse shooting benefits the local economy
- the differences between types of conservation areas, SSSIs etc
What you will need:
Print out the six-page PDF below. You may wish to give pupils the whole six-page pack, or simply give them a copy of page 5 (topics for discussion and exercises).
If completing the exercises on a field trip don't forget:
- pens or pencils
- clipboards
The PDF includes information on:
- description of the moorland landscape and why it is a special area
- moorland management techniques
- grouse shooting industry - facts and figures
- roles of people working in grouse shooting industry
- exercises and topics for discussion
grouse_shooting_in_the_north_york_moors.pdf
You may also wish to print out this photo pack of images of people involved in grouse shooting:
photo_pack_-_people_involved_in_grouse_shoot.pdf
Further information:
You can also use the following web links to gather further information
www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/moorland
www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designatedareas
Curriculum links (England and Wales):
Subject area(s): English / geography / environmental science / applied science
Learning outcomes:
- how and why the moorland environment is managed by people
- discovering the role that grouse shooting plays in the management / conservation / economy of upland areas
