Information to get you started

There are many excellent online sources of information and learning resources to help you develop and deliver outdoor education and environmental education. These outdoor learning resources in North East Scotland can support teachers, practitioners and community groups looking to connect young people with nature.

Outdoor Learning Resources and Support in North East Scotland

These organisations provide some of the most valuable outdoor learning resources in North East Scotland, offering training, professional networks and practical support for educators.

Outdoor & Woodland Learning Scotland provide support, networking and resources for environmental education and Forest School. There are local groups in the North East and in Moray. Each group has a Facebook Page, here and here where they advertise regular cpd training days and events for outdoor learning practitioners.

Learning through Landscapes is a national organisation that can provide training and support to help you develop Outdoor Learning in your setting.

The Creative STAR website is a mine of useful information on Outdoor Learning with links to resources and blogs.

Nature-Based Activities and Resources

The Woodland Trust can provide schools and community groups with free tree packs. But also their Schools website has lots of downloadable resources to help you discover woodland wildlife throughout the year.

The John Muir Award is a great scheme to help connect young people to nature and discover wild places.

Buglife is devoted to promoting and raising awareness of invertebrates and their habitats. They have a children’s activity page to help you learn more about insects and other invertebrates. There is a Scottish Education pack with information on how to grow a wild flower garden and make a bug hotel.

RSPB is the UK’s bird charity. Their Education and Inspiring page is full of activities for schools, children and families. They have many nature reserves around the UK, some of which have facilities for school visits.

Creating Sustainable School Grounds

If you would like to improve your school grounds for wildlife and improve the overall sustainability of your school, then the Eco-Schools programme is a good place to start.

You could also look at our Wildlife Gardening page. Anywhere has the potential of becoming a wildlife garden, including school grounds. This page is full of information on native plants, how to create animal homes and where you can source things from.

Bulb Planting © Aberdeenshire Council

There are many excellent online sources of information and learning resources to help you develop and deliver environmental education