More about the Exe Box…

Lots of people are now doing the Exe box around the estuary which is great! Here is some help with the activities if you need it.

Adults this box is very much for you*. We know it is a bit different. As estuary residents your knowledge and experience of the estuary is very valuable whether you are directly connected to it or just pass it from time to time whether you have been here for a long time or have just arrived. There is no right or wrong way of doing it and no special skills are required. Your contribution will help to build a picture of how we all understand the estuary. So have fun and give it a go! And do it your way.

Questions from the Estuary: This is your questions. Most of us know a little bit about the estuary but nobody knows it all. So what do you want to know? What do estuary creatures do about changing salinity? How the tides work? The geology? Unexplained landmarks or activities? Bird behaviour? Human behaviour! What do you not know and what do you want to know more about?

Your Estuary Map: All our experiences are different and we all know the estuary from different activities and interactions. It could be how your dog sees it, a map of sounds you hear and where you hear them, places you know well and have caught fish, sailing incidents, strange sights seen and more. Whatever you do with the estuary. And you don’t have to use the sheet provided. You can weave it, make it out of ceramics, carve it on wood. Or you can just do a simple pencil sketch as if you are showing someone how to get somewhere (like a back of the envelope sketch!) If you do then take a picture and return it with your other activities in the box. You can choose to take in all the estuary or just a small area. It’s up to you!

The Almanac: This is a record made of notes of things you have seen or experienced now or in the past. They can be big epic events the you have witnessed or everyday things. You can record an observation a day for a short period or note down events or occurrences you have seen or things you have done previously perhaps earlier this year or even in years gone by. It is important to put the date and the place the observation or experience took place. You could put in drawings and even photos (stuck in the book maybe?).

Letter to the Sea: One way or another the sea is a big presence in our lives as it is much larger than the land mass, 2/3 of our planet is ocean! Some of us stop at the shore. Some paddle or swim. Some take to boats or dive below it’s surface. Some glimpse it at a distance. Think of it as a personality and write it a letter! Dear Sea….Just start writing and see what happens…You are welcome to write on any other paper and write on multiple sheets if you are feeling inspired.
Here is a sound recording of Anne-Marie explaining more about Letters to the Sea:

The Future Goose: How do you imagine the estuary in 30 or 40 years time? How would you like it to be? How do you think it is changing? What are your concerns? Write it on the goose!

And please don’t forget to return! You can contact us or use a drop off point. Don’t worry if you can’t do all the activities. Responses don’t have to be elaborate or complex. Whatever you can do will be welcome.

*Adults can, of course, do the box with children or as a family.

And, if you can, please let us know what you think about the Exe Estuary box. It will help us to know what worked and may not have done and perhaps to find more funding for the project. Thanks. info@tidelines.uk