This article was written by John who works for Green Sefton, the Sefton Council service which delivers the management, development and oversight of Sefton’s beautiful coastline, parks and green spaces.

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Even with a coastline as staggeringly diverse as Sefton’s, which changes not just by the season but by the day, seeing a landscape through a fresh pair of eyes is always invaluable.

And any project that encourages youngsters to create a piece of art inspired by the natural world is to be celebrated.

So the launch of “Made By You”, an exercise in capturing how youngsters (aged 5-11) interpret the natural world, whether it be on the coast or in our parks and greenspaces, is great news.

“Made By You” is open to all within the age group and all young artists have to do to enter is create a drawing or painting, or poem or piece of writing (maximum one side of A4 paper) about the natural world.

Once their work celebrating getting outside on Sefton’s coast, countryside and parks is complete, parents should send in a good quality photo of the artwork to organisers.

Click here https://forms.gle/xRixTfZUvLuUwyzC8 for details on how to submit your child’s creative work.

You will need a Google account to take part.

The competition closes on Monday September 4^th.

A “Made By You” initiative for older artists, aged 12-18 is also available, celebrating their creativity in film, music, photography, dance or writing and details are at: https://forms.gle/j1yVfA2szPuyRzgS9

The “Made By You” project is organised by Counterculture for Sefton Council and its partners, who are working on a new cultural plan for the borough, which reflects the depth of talent within Sefton’s communities.

So primary schoolchildren in Sefton are being invited to contribute their creativity by submitting a piece of their work, inspired by Sefton’s beautiful natural environment.

Their work could be inspired by a landscape or view or be a representation of some of the stunning flora and fauna that can be found in the borough, from Natterjack Toads and Sand Lizards to bats or butterflies.

A stormy day on the coast or the colour of autumn leaves, the dawn chorus or calls of wintering Pink Footed Geese could form the source for their efforts, but it really could be anything as long as the subject is drawn from the natural world.

Maybe tales of shipwrecks or a great day beachcombing will inspire our young artists?

Perhaps memories of a day in the park will be the spark for their work?

If youngsters need further inspiration, why not check Sefton’s online nature calendar, which can be visited at:

www.sefton.gov.uk/around-sefton/coast-countryside/seftons-nature-calendar

The calendar lists things to look out for and key messages for protecting the natural world in Sefton month by month.

A selection of “Made By You” entries will be displayed in an online exhibition curated by The Atkinson Theatre Southport.

So chosen work could be viewed by people all over the planet!

Can’t wait to see how our youngsters view the borough’s natural world.