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19.06.18 - Conservation - A few weeks ago in the hot weather a group of people had a party in our wild area. They lit a fire on the grass and left a big scorch mark behind. They also pulled our bug hotel apart to use the pallets as seats. Today we discussed the damage they left behind and how, when we enjoy wild areas, we should leave no trace behind when we leave. We learned how to enjoy fires safely, what hazzards to look out for and how to avoid them. We also learned how important it is to extinguish a fire completely before you leave and different ways of doing this.

Day 20.

Day 19.

14.06.18 - Conservation - A while ago we examined Cuckoo Spit and learned about the froghopper or spittlebug living inside it. Today we participated in some Citizen Science to help protect spittlebugs. Outside the UK spittlebugs sometimes get a bacterium that hurts them. UK scientists want to find out where our spittlebugs are and what plants they like to live on so that they are ready to help if the bacterium ever comes to the UK. Jack and Adam collected the spittlebug in a ziplock bag and posted it to Edinburgh to help the scientists in their work. You can do the same... https://www.sasa.gov.uk/sites/default/files/DIP3887_Spittalbug_Hunt.pdf

To celebrate the end of our series of sessions, the children lit their own campfire and toasted marshmallows! We learnt about being responsible with campfires, leaving no trace of our activities, looking after ourselves, each other and the place.

A great way to explore the area and look a little deeper - we found spiders, harvestmen, beetles, caterpillars, slugs, and lots and lots of ants!

On a very hot day in May, the children spent a morning planting native trees on a grassy bank near to the Rural Education Centre. We planted Willow, Birch and Scots Pine. It was interesting to look at the different soil types on the site - we planted the willow on the wetter areas. It was great to put something back, to help improve the habitat, in this special wild place where we have been doing so many fun activities.

The children learnt how to twist the natural fibres into string and twine - they did really well!