A free online skills development programme developed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust is now available to people and communities across Scotland. 

Over the past two years, nearly 40 community leaders have taken part in the Nextdoor Nature Pioneers Programme, a training course which has equipped them with the knowledge, skills and confidence to organise positive action for nature and improve their neighbourhoods. 

As of this week, the online modules from the programme are now freely accessible for anyone to sign up to. Subjects covered during the eight-week course range from basic wildlife ecology to how to secure funding for community projects, with a number of additional optional modules available once people have completed the course. 

The Pioneers Programme was developed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust as part of the Nextdoor Nature project. People from 37 communities across Scotland took part in the programme, during which the series of online modules were combined with monthly interactive webinars and regular in-person events. Participants also received one-to-one support to help them set up community-led initiatives in their own local areas. These initiatives have included tree planting, litter picks, improving community gardens and protecting river habitats, and have revitalised where people work and live. 

Karen, a participant on the Pioneers Programme with a vision to transform a neglected former car park into a haven for wildlife, said: “I’m in touch with the local council about permission to look after it, and I’m recruiting volunteers who’d like to get involved. I’m thinking fruit trees, maybe a sensory garden. Hopefully my project will encourage and inspire others to look after other pockets of neglected land.” 

As well as enabling communities to proactively help wildlife, the Nextdoor Nature project also provided other benefits for participants. These include improvements to mental wellbeing and physical health, as well as a stronger sense of community spirit and local pride.  

Tammy, who completed the programme this September and is using the skills she learned through the programme to develop an outdoor space for her children’s Cubs group, said: “I’m not naturally a leader, so it’s given me the opportunity to gain the skills I need to be in charge and develop my idea for something I can achieve in my community. It’s certainly filled me with more confidence to set up a community project.”  

Though the Nextdoor Nature project has now drawn to a close, the ambitions of the graduated pioneers to revitalise and rehabilitate habitats across their local areas will continue far beyond the programme’s end. With the course now available to everyone via the online modules, the Scottish Wildlife Trust hopes the project legacy will continue long into the future. 

Pete Haskell, Head of Communications & Engagement at the Scottish Wildlife Trust, said: “Communities have a key part to play in helping nature to recover across Scotland. Our hope is that what we’ve developed through this programme will help more and more communities take action for nature”. 

The Pioneers Programme was developed as part of Nextdoor Nature, a project from The Wildlife Trusts funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, to help communities and people come together to tackle the climate and nature crisis. 

To find out more, watch the video above. To sign up to the Pioneers Programme, click here.