1. Obtain Ordnance Survey maps Pathfinder series 761. Landranger series 119. Find grid reference 370612. enjoy finding out what mapping signs mean and see what they tell you about the immediate area. Go a little further afield - what can you discover? Find a place on the trail and let the map tell you what you can see.

  2. Back in the classroom, take a look at an aerial view of the area. Can you work out where you walked? Use the overlay map facility of Multimap to help you.

  3. Take wild flower, animal, bird, tree, fungi, grasses discovery books on your trail. Use them to find out the names of what you see and hear.

  4. Make a map of your route and mark on anything you find of interest. If you do this regularly you will find out how things change with the seasons.

  5. Do a piece of research on a stretch of hedge or stone wall. Learn how to hedge lay and watch a craftsman at work. Study a dry stone wall. What can you find out about life in and on the wall. Perhaps take an interest in dry stone walling and learn how it is done by attending a demonstration. Safeguard your heritage! (The National Stone Centre runs dry stone walling workshops. On display at the centre, is the Millennium Wall, which is a showpiece of the many types of dry stone wall around the country).

  6. Go pond and stream dipping. Countryside rangers will always get you started. (Derbyshire Countryside Services Centre, Market Street, Clay Cross, Derbyshire, 01246 866960.)

  7. Look at the materials used in the building of houses, walls, boundaries, farm buildings etc. Do the materials reflect the building use or the area? Can you see effects of weathering?

  8. Talk to local people. Share their memories. What effect has the building of Ogston Reservoir had on their lives? Can they show you any old maps or photos? Where do they work? How do they get there?

  9. Above all treasure this area. Keep it free from pollution and vandalism. Respect the lives of the people and creatures as you share with them. Perhaps you can develop an area so others can also share?
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