CLIMBING trees and getting muddy knees are memories from childhood we all treasure. But they are memories many children are missing out on.

Modern-day concerns like traffic, the lure of video screens and parental anxieties are increasingly conspiring to keep children indoors, according to experts.

Evidence suggests the problem is worse in the UK than other parts of Europe, and may help explain poor UK rankings in childhood satisfaction surveys.

Back in 2012, these worries prompted the National Trust to commission a report called Natural Childhood. In the report, the naturalist, author and TV producer, Stephen Moss charted years of academic research and a steady stream of surveys on children’s relationship with the natural world, highlighting how a generation of children is finally losing touch with the natural world.

The report outlined a clear need to tackle the rise of ‘Nature Deficit Disorder’, a term coined by the US based writer Richard Louv, to describe a growing dislocation between children and nature. Moss presented compelling evidence that we as a nation, and especially our children, are exhibiting the symptoms of the modern phenomenon and looked at what this disorder is costing us, why it’s proving so difficult to reverse, and gathered current thinking on what we must do to eliminate it, before opening up the question to the nation for consideration.

The report prompted much soul-searching in the organisation with the establishment of The Wild Network, a rapidly growing movement of over 1,000 organisations and thousands of individuals who are passionate about getting children back to nature, and Project Wild Thing, an ambitious campaign aimed at reconnecting a generation of children in the UK with the natural world.

Fuelled by the findings of the report, one of the Trust's properties, Erddig Hall in Wrexham, built its Wolf’s Den natural play area in 2013. Made entirely of resources from the estate's woods, set over two acres of land, the project saw staff and volunteers at Erddig helping with the design and build of the area and in the last five years it has been enjoyed by thousands of children as well as for bush craft courses, environmental learning, Forest School activities, Erddig’s Youth Club and Young Rangers. The area has been completed with den building, rope swings, balancing beams and wooden carvings of wolves with children encouraged to leap and swing into the woodland space next to the historic walled garden.

In fact the natural play area has been so popular since its launch in 2013, that the estate team is now looking to expand it, but only after carefully considering wildlife habitats, consulting with the public and a range of partners.

"The play area has been so popular, the ground around the beautiful trees has been compacted, restricting their ability to draw in the nutrients they need to thrive, in turn restricting the Wolf’s Den opening times," explains head ranger and National Trust project manager, James Stein.

"The team has been forced to close the natural play area for winter conservation several times, to allow the trees time and space to breathe which has been a big disappointment to visitors who like to visit us throughout the year."

A solution to this problem has now been found with Erddig confirming they will soon develop another natural play area in the woodland next to Wolf’s Den, so that there are two areas available to use and rotate. This would allow Erddig’s visitors to play naturally throughout the year. The team has identified a potential space in the original historic pleasure ground designed by William Emes, which runs next to the historic remains of the Norman Motte and Bailey castle.

“It’s very early days and there’s still a lot of work to be done to research and investigate the area and its rich variety of wildlife," says James.

"We’ll be working with a range of partners over the coming months to see what’s feasible, but we’d like to start the ball rolling, or sow seeds, by sharing some initial ideas and asking our Easter visitors what they’d like to see.”

Throughout the Easter holidays the rangers are running an informal consultation until April 29 in Wolf’s Den to gather some initial thoughts and ideas from visitors. A first artist’s impression has been created for the space (likely to be the first of many over the coming months) as well as information on the kind of things the team is exploring and how they will use natural materials from the estate.

"The team is doing everything they can to ensure everyone who visits Erddig gets the most out of a special connection with nature and that will be the driving force for the project," adds James. "From smelling wild garlic and listening out for the woodpeckers in spring to identifying fallen leaves and seeds in autumn and winter."

People can feedback their comments and ideas by emailing the project manager on erddig@nationaltrust.org.uk, through Erddig's social networks or by posting them to National Trust Erddig, Wrexham LL13 OYT marking them 'Wolf’s Den II informal consultation'. The rangers will also be on site in Wolf’s Den from April 15 to April 29 asking for feedback during the Easter holidays, so visitors are urged to go and have a look at the plans and tell the team what they think.