Wildlife presenter and naturalist Hamza Yassin joined schoolchildren in Stratford for a special outdoor learning experience hosted by the Canal & River Trust.
The Explorers event, held last week near the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, celebrated the upcoming release of Hamza’s new children’s book, Hamza’s Wild World, and gave pupils from Bobby Moore Primary School a chance to connect with nature on their doorstep.
Nature Education Meets Storytelling
Led by Canal & River Trust learning officer Mike Wakeford, the event taught pupils how to identify water birds and urban wildlife while learning essential safety tips around waterways.
Hamza captivated the group with tales from his wildlife adventures and shared insights from his conservation work across the UK.
“It was so brilliant to spend the morning with a super enthusiastic group of children and share stories from my book,” said Hamza.
Wildlife Sightings in the Heart of the City
Despite the urban setting, the group spotted a mute swan chasing a Canadian goose, a fox cub drawn out by coot chicks, and even heard the call of a reed warbler—a vivid reminder of the biodiversity thriving along the River Lea.
Each child also received a copy of the book, set for publication on 3 July, which encourages children to explore and appreciate the natural world.
Praise for Inspiring Young Conservationists
Annette Simpson, Learning and Skills Manager at the Canal & River Trust, praised Hamza’s involvement:
“It was fantastic to have someone as knowledgeable and respected as Hamza supporting our Explorers programme. Events like this help to spark a lifelong interest in nature and local wildlife.”
The Canal & River Trust’s Explorers scheme delivers environmental education to thousands of children each year, often focusing on urban and underrepresented communities.
