A budding young Redruth artist has won a competition to design the new logo for a region-wide nature project.

Tegen Moore, aged 12, from Pool Academy was chosen as the winner from more than 80 entries across Devon and Cornwall, with her design of a pencil sprouting leaves to represent the Natural Connections Demonstration Project.

The project is designed to reconnect children and their schools across the South West with their natural environment and it will see Plymouth University working with more than 200 primary, secondary and special schools to support them in providing high quality learning outside of the classroom, across a wide range of subjects, from maths and science to literacy and history.

Project director Sue Waite said: “Of all the entries, Tegen’s showed a clear design, blending learning and the environment most effectively.

“We were all very impressed with the enthusiasm for the competition shown by pupils of all ages, from four to 16, and the range of ideas that the young people put forward was wonderful.”

The Natural Connections project, which has more than £550,000 worth of funding from Natural England, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and English Heritage, runs until 2015. If successful, the project is intended to act as a model that can be rolled out across the whole of England.

Ian Blackwell, Natural Connections project manager, said that despite widespread evidence of the benefits to children of experiencing the natural environment, they were “losing their connection” to the country’s green spaces, many of which are on the schools’ doorstep.

He said: “Schools are so well-placed to involve large numbers of children in this exciting initiative, to bridge children’s school and leisure experiences, and to engage local communities, parents and businesses.

“There is growing evidence to show that learning in natural environments can transform and enhance individual and school performances by supporting high standards of teaching and learning, allowing innovation and excellence in curriculum delivery, and motivating the children to engage and achieve more.

“Natural Connections has been set up to help create the circumstances where schools in the South West have the support and encouragement they need to step outside the classroom, and experience how the outdoors can inspire their pupils and help them meet their own school priorities.”