Helen and Susannah have just finished facilitating the Scottish Junior Forester Award with Primary 6 pupils from Lochgilphead Primary School, and what a brilliant experience it’s been.

The Scottish Junior Forester Award aims to give young people an insight into the skills needed for a career in forestry, while also equipping them with the practical know-how to help manage woodlands in their schools and local communities.

Over the course of six days in the forest, pupils explored the importance of woodlands for the environment and their role in tackling climate change. They carried out surveys, identified trees and plants, and looked at habitat creation and ways to boost biodiversity.

There was lots of practical learning too, including building bug hotels, constructing bird boxes, creating dead hedges and planting trees.

To celebrate the end of the project, pupils became forest ambassadors, proudly showing visitors round the woodland before receiving their well-earned certificates.

   

Here’s what people said:

“We learned a lot from it such as the animals that live in the area and how to plant trees.” - P6 pupil

“It was wonderful to listen to the children tell me about what they had been taking part in over the six sessions. They were so enthusiastic and detailed in their responses and they managed to recall so much of their learning – which was a triumph as they had covered so much from risk assessments, tree identification, bracken bashing, tree planting, habitat restoration and much more!” – Erin Kennedy, Manager, MAKI Pups Outdoor Nursery

“The Primary 6 Junior Forester Award has been an outstanding success. The children have not only gained valuable knowledge about trees and forests but have also developed important life skills and a lifelong appreciation for the natural world.” – Class teacher

Well done Junior Foresters!