Welcome Amazing Autumn Colours with the Forestry Commisson

Here at Muddy Puddles we were delighted to find out that in a recent survey carried out by our friends at the Forestry Commission, a staggering 96% of people said that the beautiful autumn colours in nature improve their mood. What a terrific statistic! Who said that the colder months were meant to be more depressing, well not on our watch! The summer period does host some great, bright and bold greenery – but why do the leaves change colour as autumn begins?  To answer this question, the Forestry Commission have launched their wonderful Colour Me Happy campaign, to celebrate the autumn season and share the science behind the most colourful time of year.  We’ve had some ‘wonderfully’ hot weather (if you’re into that kind of thing) of late, and throughout the summer period leaves are filled with something called chlorophyll – a green pigment which is in all plants. This then reacts with the sun and creates carbon dioxide, when mixed with water sugars are created and this is what makes the leaves turn green! This is why gardeners love the sun…well someone has to.  But as we now move into autumn you will notice that the green colours soon start to fade away. But why does this happen? Simple – the trees begin to receive less sunlight and the pigments start to break up revealing other colourful pigments deep in the leaves. This is what creates the fantastic autumn colours we adore! The Forestry Commission has numerous on-goings and fun activities to celebrate the wonderful autumn season and the lovely colours were treated to. You too can get involved in a number of amazing ways.  With your young explorers, why not take a step outside and visit your local green space or woodland or anywhere leaves colours may be changing. Check out what colours are being created. You may see plenty of deep reds and lovely yellows – don’t forget to collect them, they’re great for craft! When you get home jump onto the Forestry Commission website and join the autumn Colour Me Happy map. Register your location and let them know what colours you found…sooner or later Britain will be full of cracking autumn colours! Explore your local forests on the hunt for minibeasts, use nature to create a bookmark – bound to send others at school wild with jealously and even forest bingo as you listen out for sounds of the forest.