Highland School Leads The Way For Nature Detectives

22nd March 2011

A new booklet entitled "Nature Detectives… The Challenge" was launched at South Lodge Primary School, Invergordon today (Tuesday 22 March). The booklet aims to help children find out more about the wildlife that lives on their very own doorstep in an active and hands-on fashion.

Pupils from Primary 5-6 have been working with local artist Gina Bates over the last year to collect, scan and arrange images of wildlife and habitats into a new booklet. Its 30 pages are jam-packed with pictures and information on Highland birds, animals and plants.

The booklet is part of a partnership project between South Lodge Primary, the Easter Ross Biodiversity Group and Highland Council Rangers, having received funding from the National Lottery through the Big Lottery Fund. Schools and Rangers across Highland Council area have been invited to take part by helping children observe and identify local plants and animals.

Assistant Head Teacher Lawrence Bews said: "The booklet is based around a version originally used in Orkney that was put together by a variety of environmentally aware groups under the OCEAN banner. Pupils will record their sightings and answer questions to collect points, which will go towards bronze, silver and gold awards, while an annual trophy will be given to the child who submits the most original and inspiring presentation on the subject of a special place. It has been created within the principles of A Curriculum for Excellence whereby children are encouraged to take an active part in their own education by exploring and investigating, particularly in an outdoors setting."

The project is supported by Highland Biodiversity Partnership's Capacity Building Programme (which is funded by the Highland LEADER Programme, The Highland Council, Scottish Natural Heritage and RSPB Scotland). Partnership Chairperson and former teacher Councillor Audrey Sinclair said: "We were delighted to be able to support this initiative, as it encourages children to get outdoors and find out about their local wildlife. The booklet, produced by children for children, is colourful and full of suggestions for activities. As a former science teacher, I can appreciate the importance of developing the skill of observation. We hope the booklet will give teachers a framework around which to organise outdoor visits and fieldtrips. Our Countryside Rangers are very well placed to work with participating schools to enable the booklet to achieve its full potential."

Anyone wishing find out more should contact biodiversity officer Janet Bromham at The Highland Council headquarters in Inverness tel: 01463 702274, or visit the website www.highlandbiodiversity.com for more information.