£140,000 to help more children learn outdoors

The grants have been given in the second and final round of the two-year Outdoor Learning in Nature (OLIN) fund, which has now awarded over half a million pounds to 23 projects. It is administered by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).

The projects will work with around 40 schools to deliver regular outdoor learning activities to around 1600 pupils in their local greenspaces, as well as providing professional learning to approximately 400 teachers.

Pete Rawcliffe, SNH’s People & Places manager, said:

“These programmes will make a real difference to children from the most deprived areas of Scotland, giving them regular, structured time outdoors. This is so important to set them up for heathy life-long habits. It will not only help them appreciate, learn about and connect with nature, but also spending time in nature has been proven to improve mental and physical health for people of all ages.”

Dundee Learning in Nature is one of the projects receiving funding. This partnership project, run by the Arts and Communities Association, will engage 1340 pupils from 6 schools in activities such as greenspace improvements and the John Muir “Explore” and “Discovery” Awards.

"Neil Crutchley, Development Worker with the Arts and Communities Association said:

"We are delighted to have this opportunity to work with Rock Solid, John Muir Trust and Dundee City Council to provide young people with positive experiences of outdoor learning which will stay with them in the future. Learning in nature can transform lives and this project will offer many exciting creative activities to build pupil skills and confidence as well as encouraging young people to reflect on important issues of environmental protection and conservation. With the assistance of the John Muir Trust, pupils will receive accreditation for their participation through a nationally recognised award.  We are grateful to Scottish Natural Heritage for their support of the project which will involve young people and local communities in making lasting changes to woodland and garden spaces."

The six additional projects granted funding in Round 2 of the fund are:

Edinburgh

• The Outdoor Learning Map – City of Edinburgh Council
• Learning in Forests – Youth Vision
• Learning in Edinburgh Local Greenspace – Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust
• Grow and Learn in Nature – Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society

Dundee

• Dundee Learning in Nature – Arts and Communities Association

Glasgow

• Southside Schools Digging into Nature – Urban Roots Initiative
• Let Glasgow Flourish – RSPB Scotland

For more information on the Outdoor Learning in Nature fund, see https://www.nature.scot/professional-advice/funding/outdoor-learning-nature-fund

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MEDIA QUERIES

For more information, contact SNH media relations & PR officer,

Vicki Mowat, on 0131 316 2659 or vicki.mowat@nature.scot (Tues-Fri) or the main SNH press office on snhmedia@nature.scot or 0131 316 2655.