A GROUP of Hampshire brownies and guides pulled on their wellies for a nature treasure hunt.
A total of 26 girls from the 1st Milford-on-Sea Brownie pack and Guides unit took part in the three-mile trek around Boldrewood in the New Forest and listened to a talk from Hampshire Fungi Society specialist Stewart Skeats.
The teams surveyed trays of specimens checking colouring, markings and size before starting the three hour expedition.
The youngsters found a huge array of mushrooms and toadstools camouflaged by fallen leaves or browned ferns.
The trail was part of Rustle, Bustle and Squeak – a project enabling children to experience more of the natural environment, while learning and earning badges at the same time.
Mr Skeats said: “We use fungi to do a lot of good things.
“Some are used to create medicines, like penicillin, whilst others are used to help make Marmite or the fizz in drinks and even help jeans gain that stonewashed look ".
“Among nature they help the roots of the flora and fauna surrounding them extract the most nutrients from the earth to feed.”
Brownie Elisabeth Goldsmith said: “The trail's been pretty cool - my favourite mushroom was the fly agaric, because it has a fairy tale look about it with all those white dots on the bright red top.”
Rebecca Webb, Brown Owl, said: :It's been a long old day, but really fantastic, with the girls finding some amazing things as soon as they stepped on to the trail and started taking a closer look at the edges.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel