Plans to construct an innovative outdoor classroom to help young children grasp the importance of protecting Scotland’s biodiversity and excite and inspire them about their local wildlife have now been given the go ahead, thanks to the success of People’s Postcode Lottery’s mission to raise funds for charities in Scotland including the Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT).
Based at Glen Nevis Visitor Centre, near Fort William, the new £1,000 outdoor classroom project will transform a portion of the Visitor Centre grounds, owned by The Highland Council, into a wildlife oasis.
Set to include new hedging designed to make an attractive home to birds such as blue tits and robins, a pond with dipping platform to make exploring the deep fun and easy, minibeast homes for creepy crawlies, and even bat boxes, the facility will be used by SWT’s local Wildlife Watch children’s group which holds its meetings at the Centre as well as other groups in the area.
Simon Milne, SWT’s Chief Executive, said: “As the largest charity dedicated to protecting all of Scotland’s wildlife, SWT aims to do all it can to help connect people with every part of Scotland’s magnificent native wildlife. The unrestricted funding we receive from the People’s Postcode Lottery, which recently saw us reach an amazing milestone of £1million, allows us to invest funds where we need it most.
“From maintaining fantastic local wildlife reserves to working in the wider community for the benefit of our natural environment we can do more, thanks to the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, for example the £1million raised to date is enough to maintain SWT’s 123 amazing wildlife reserves in postcodes across Scotland for two years. But it’s often the smallest things that can make the biggest impact and at Glen Nevis we are embracing an opportunity to make a big difference to how local children experience wildlife.”
Michelle Melville, SWT’s Glen Nevis Wildlife Watch Group Leader and a Highland Council Ranger, said: “Meeting once a month during term time, the Glen Nevis Junior Rangers are one of Scotland’s newest Watch groups having started in January 2010. We are part of an SWT initiative to set up local groups led by volunteers which aim to inspire five to 14 year-olds to learn about and appreciate wildlife.
“At present we do not have a proper space in which we can work and while the children have great fun, we dreamt about creating an exciting outdoor area where the children could play amongst real wildlife and have fun getting their hands dirty.
“Now, thanks to People’s Postcode Lottery, we can make this dream a reality for the children. Our outdoor classroom will come alive with everything from bird and bats to bumblebee, toads and mini-beasts. The children will be involved in some of the construction process with Highland Council Wardens carrying out the rest. When the project is completed we will have an area teaming with wildlife ready for them to explore.
“We are always looking for new member and anyone with children interested in joining should call 01397 705922”
Claire Montgomery, People’s Postcode Lottery Deputy Managing Director, said “We’re absolutely delighted that the Glen Nevis Wildlife Watch Group will benefit from People’s Postcode Lottery funding, helping SWT to engage and educate even more young people across Scotland.”
As a charity lottery, People’s Postcode Lottery represents a unique fundraising concept where players play with their postcode to win prizes and support local charities. 40p from each lottery ticket sold to a selection of charities in Scotland, including SWT. Players have raised over £8million to date to support People’s Postcode Lottery’s charity partners and good causes. Charity partners include: CHILDREN 1ST, Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres, Missing People (in Scotland), People’s Postcode Trust and Scottish Wildlife Trust.
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NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. SWT is the largest voluntary body working for all the wildlife of Scotland, representing more than 35,000 members who care for wildlife and the environment. SWT seeks to raise public awareness of threatened habitats and species and manages over 120 reserves Scotland-wide.
2. The People’s Postcode Lottery is the lottery for charities in Scotland. Launched in November 2007, People’s Postcode Lottery represents a unique fundraising concept where players play with their postcode to win cash prizes whilst supporting local charities in Scotland. 40p from each ticket sold goes direct to charities in Scotland. To date SWT have received over £1,015,585 from PPL which helps maintain the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s network of over 120 reserves across Scotland.
3. SWT receives financial assistance and support from a range of organisations, funders and individuals including Scottish Natural Heritage and the People’s Postcode Lottery.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Nicola McGovern, SWT PR Officer
Tel: 0131 312 4742