Big Wild Life

17/05/2026

Another two training days in the Pentlands with the amazing Seeds of Disruption SCIO crew. We were joined by Julie the community ranger from The University of Edinburgh to plant wildflowers and identify trees. We absolutely loved working with her and learning from experts in the field (pun not intended).

The project that Seeds of Disruption chose was to create more habitats and w**d whacking to protect the newly planted forest. They will plan and deliver this with support from Julie and will achieve their FOLA 5 qualification.

This initiative has been funded by the University of Edinburgh, in partnership with Seeds of Disruption and delivered by Big Wild Life. It has been a privilege to be part of.

10/05/2026

What a pleasure to work with the amazing young people and youth work team at Hawick High School. This project was organised by Newbattle Abbey College and Hawick High School youth work team, with funding support from the Harris Trust.

Outdoor learning and youth work is a very powerful combo that not only can provide alternative qualifications but also inspires stewardship and pro environmental action. Training this group was a pleasure and there is going to be some great work coming out of Hawick....watch this space!

03/05/2026

An excellent start to our FOLA 5 Skills course in the Pentland Hills. We have the A team here, completing their own risk assessment, developing a site survey, building shelters and getting to know the site.

This team will be trained by Big Wild Life and work with The University of Edinburgh Community Ranger to complete their own project, aligned with one of the Strategic Development Goals and in response to what is needed on site.

The Rullion Green site is land that is owned by the University of Edinburgh and they want to involve the local community to increase biodiversity and develop a community outdoor learning space. They have funded this project and young people will achieve the Forest and Outdoor Learning Award - Level 5 Skills (FOLA 5 - SCQF5). Young people will also be offered the opportunity for additional outdoor learning experience at Seeds of Disruption SCIO outdoor activities.

We are working with our long standing partners, Seeds of Disruption, and have a youth worker and two youth leaders who are stepping into an assistant leadership role and will achieve their FOLA 6, making them qualified Forest School Assistants. This project strengthens the capacity for outdoor learning and climate action, and builds networks so we can work together. There is a huge amount of young people in our community that want to do good things, when we put resources behind their ideas.....just sit back and watch what happens....

28/04/2026

🌟 Invertebrates: The Backbone of Species Recovery Big Give Earth Raise Week, championed by Garfield Weston Foundation 🌟
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🥳 Wow. thank you! With just 48 hours to go we have already achieved a fantastic 80% of our campaign target, can you help us secure that final 20%?

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Small steps can have a huge impact if they fall together
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📷 Red Mason Bee (Osmia bicornis) © Ed Phillips

21/04/2026

****** NOW FULLY BOOKED *****

With thanks to funding from The University of Edinburgh. We are delighted to be able to deliver this free training course for local young people.

It is filling fast, but we do have a couple of spaces left for 12 - 18 year olds who would like to gain an outdoor qualification and have fun making a positive impact on this world.

We will be working in partnership with Seeds of Disruption SCIO and the University of Edinburgh Community Ranger to help develop a new community woodland, called Rullion Green Wood in the Pentlands Hills.

The University of Edinburgh have planted a variety of trees to connect existing woodland, transforming land that was previously used for livestock grazing. The University hopes to improve habitats for plants and animals and also capture carbon from the atmosphere. With this new woodland, there are lots of opportunities for nature-based learning and opportunities for local groups, schools and students to become involved in its development.

Sessions will be delivered by qualified Forest School Leaders, Donna Strachan and Kelly Archibald from Big Wild Life and we will be joined by Julie Wilson, University of Edinburgh Community Ranger, who will support the group to plan their own environmental action.

We will learn about the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, woodland management, species identification, woodland craft, knots, shelter building, tool use, nature connection, risk assessment and more.

The Forest & Outdoor Learning Award (FOLA) is tailored to the Scottish curriculum and is a Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) accredited qualification. At their heart, the awards help people learn how to be in forest and outdoor environments sustainably. The awards are grounded in the ethos of ‘Forest School’ that places the human within the natural environment and supports active and person-centred approaches to learning.

Learners will gain their FOLA 5 skills qualification at SCQF 5 (equivalent to a NAT 5).

Sessions will run on the following Fridays (weather permitting):

1st, 8th, 15th and 29th of May
12th, 19th June

Learners will be transported by minibus to the site each Friday afternoon, leaving at:

12:45 pm and returning by 4:45 pm.

Pick Up Point - Meeting Outside Woodburn Community Hub,
10 Woodburn Road, Dalkeith.

If you would like to book or for more information, please contact Donna Strachan at

business@bigwildlife.uk

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