A band of local kids are set to go wild with festive excitement this weekend, as the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s (SWT) Moray-based Wildlife Watch Club prepares to host a Bush Craft Christmas Party this Saturday (12 December). 

 

Supervised by a team of dedicated adult volunteers, children ranging from eight to 14 will head into the forest to learn how to build shelters and cook festive treats over an open fire. 

 

SWT’s People and Wildlife Officer, Donna Mathieson, said:  “Our Moray Watch Group has pulled out all the stops to plan a Christmas party with a really wild twist this year.  Forget sparkly party dresses and shiny shoes, this Christmas kids can do what they enjoy best – getting dirty and exploring the wild places close to their homes.

 

“Meeting in Elgin this Saturday morning, this club is always eager to welcome new members to join in the fun.  Nothing could be simpler than kitting out your kids in their warm, waterproof gear and sending them out to party in Scotland’s great outdoors.  I hope many local parents bring their kids along to make this event a big success.”     
 
Last month, the Moray Wildlife Watch Club turned kids into squirrel detectives.  After learning about Scotland’s only native squirrel species, the red squirrel, the group spent the morning looking for tell-tale signs that reds were in the area. They found squirrel dreys, chewed pine cones, and most even spotted a wild red squirrel. 
   
The Moray Wildlife Watch Club was launched in Elgin in May 2009 and since then local kids have been discovering creepy crawlies in mini-beast hunts, rock-pooling on the beach, and making masks for Halloween.

 

SWT supports a network of 22 Wildlife Watch Groups across Scotland aiming to inspire children about nature by getting them outside and enjoying themselves.  To find out more about the Moray Wildlife Watch Club email watchgroupmoray@btinternet.com. 

 

SWT is the largest voluntary body working for all the wildlife or Scotland. 

 

***ENDS***

 

NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. Wildlife Watch is a wildlife club for 8-14 year olds, part of the junior membership of SWT.  For more information email echo@swt.org.uk

2. SWT is the largest voluntary body working for all the wildlife of Scotland, representing more than 34,000 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.

3. The People’s Postcode Lottery is the lottery for charities in Scotland.  Launched in November 2007, PPL 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 £772,023 from PPL which helps maintain the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s network of over 120 reserves across Scotland.

4. SWT receives financial assistance and support from Scottish Natural Heritage and the People’s Postcode Lottery.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Nicola McGovern, SWT PR Officer
Tel: 0131 312 4742