Big Wild Life

09/04/2026

It's been an absolute pleasure working with Hawick High School's youth work team and young people. We have discovered so much already through the Forest and Outdoor Learning Awards training.... including this leopard slug! A predator slug that eats other slugs.

Working with Newbattle Abbey College, Hawick High School and students, we have been experimenting with different ways to deliver leadership training and offer alternative qualifications. As part of the course youth workers and young people train together both gaining different levels of qualifications in outdoor skills. Youth workers will become qualified Forest School leaders completing their FOLA 8 (SCQF 8) and young people will gain a FOLA 2 (SCQF 2).

It will enable the youth work team to offer alternative qualifications that are hands on and delivered outdoors. There is no home work, exams or written work required up to level 4. Learners gain the skills and knowledge to look after their local woodlands and take positive action in response to what's needed. We hope they become more involved in developing the site and project. I feel they will go on to do great things.

20/03/2026

Carol Murdoch has just released her new book! Can't wait to read this.

✨ PUBLICATION DAY ✨

Our new book is published today, and I'm so excited for you to read it!

We gave a few teachers early access and this is what Miss Dunsmore had to say:

"The where of outdoor learning" is an AMAZING read for both parents and teachers. It is engaging, funny and a must read for primary teachers everywhere who are beginning their outdoor learning journey or are well on their way to embedding outdoor learning in the curriculum. It made me think of the ordinary, outdoor spaces we have around our school and most importantly it gave me the confidence to see the learning potential just outside the classroom door, with no special arrangements just the positivity to inspire and encourage curiosity, improve self-esteem and a love of learning.

Available to order here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GRJXWP4Q

05/03/2026

I always have a great time chatting with Carol Murdoch. Thanks for opportunity to share my thoughts on your podcast!

I loved speaking with Donna from Big Wild Life about the multifaceted roles in education, the importance of outdoor learning, the challenges of ADHD and dyslexia, and the need for sustainability in educational practices.

Come and have a listen in: https://loveoutdoorlearning.com/podcast/a-conversation-with-donna-strachan-from-big-wild-life/

18/02/2026

Love this tree. Hazel is easy to spot this time of year by its catkins. Take note and come back in the Autumn for a tasty snack.

This deciduous tree is found in woods and hedges across Britain. It can reach a height of 15m and grows on a range of soils, including chalk, limestone, mildly acid and clay.

Coppiced hazel woodlands are rich in wildlife, as the regular cutting allows light to reach the woodland floor, benefitting flowers and butterflies. Over 106 invertebrate species have been found on hazel. The nuts attract squirrels and hazel dormice.

28/11/2025

It has been an absolute pleasure working with Mauricewood Primary School, Edinburgh University and Branching Upwards CIC on this exciting outdoor project.

Over 8 sessions, we had a lot of fun with a great bunch of 10 primary 6 and 7s from Mauricewood PS. We planted wild flowers, trees and developed a community space in the Pentlands. We learnt about nature, shelter building, knots, woodland craft, tree planting, wild meadows, foraging and more.

100% of participants gained their Forest and Outdoor Learning Awards (SCQF-2)! We made a positive impact to the environment, learnt new skills and can come back and watch our forest grow.

It was an absolute pleasure working with everyone involved. Massive thanks Edinburgh University for providing the funding to make this happen, Branching Upwards for setting up all the partnerships, evaluation and delivery and Mauricewood Primary School for being so up for doing something different, supporting the project and making a big difference to those involved.

We can do great things when we all work together.

27/11/2025

This was such a transformational course and so proud to be able to support it.

🌳The Wildlife and Woodland Conservation Skills project has demonstrated how practical, outdoor learning within a college environment can inspire confidence, open progression routes and connect young people to both nature and their own potential. 🌳

Read more about this fantastic course in our case study 👉 https://ow.ly/884n50Xy5KV

21/11/2025

Very proud to be working on this project. Congratulations on passing your FOLA 4!

16/10/2025

It was so nice to spend time in the woods with staff and students at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh.

This pilot project was for staff and faculty at QMU to spend some time to connect, learn from each other and to build a tool kit of ideas for outdoor activities....by doing them. The most fun way to learn!

We ran 5 sessions based on what participants wanted to learn and had a lot of fun doing the following activities:

Den building techniques - shelter building, teepee design and natural dens.

Exploring play - discussions on theory

Woodland craft - gods eyes, natural paint brushes and bookbinding

Stop motion animation - build your own stick tripods!

Kelly Kettles and Campfire Cooking - foraged tea and rosehip syrup with campfire bread.

Foraging - rosehip syrup, elderberry paint and elderberry tea. All growing on campus.

Tools and Knots - safe use of knives and secateurs. Learn useful knots.

Although numbers were not high, students that came were keen to take a lead and grow this initiative. There may even be a way Big Wild Life can help further their outdoor qualifications and provide supported opportunities for students to practice their teaching skills. It goes without saying that we are very keen to support this and was genuinely moved by their kind words about the project and enthusiasm for taking a lead role.

Many thanks to Queen Margaret University for funding the project and Patrick Boxall for continuing to support great things.

Watch this space!

19/09/2025

It is ALWAYS a pleasure to be part of this special festival. Thanks Vogrie Pogrie for including Big Wild Life for another year. We loved it so much ♥️♥️♥️

30/08/2025

Big Wild Life are very proud to be part of Vogrie Pogrie. The festival shares our values of inclusion, experimentation, creativity, community building and play.

We will be hosting the Woodland Sensory Area with a range of activities including...

🌸 Hapazome - printing with plants

⛺ Den building - a great way to play

🪵Wood cookies - make a woodland charm

🪲 Bug hunting and species identification

🖌️ Mud painting - and natural paintbrushes

🌳 Hammocks - a great way to relax in the woods.

And more.

We will also be joined by various acts during the day.

Stop by and say hi on Sat 13th and Sunday the 14th of September at Vogrie Country Park.