A local kids’ club, supported by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, has been acknowledged as one 
of the top groups of its kind in the UK, thanks to an award scheme run by the Wildlife Trusts. The dynamic bunch of wildlife-mad youngsters were rated as ‘highly commended’ in the annual competition which attracts entries from all corners of the UK.
Moray Wildlife Watch group, run by local volunteers Lynne Laing and Rosie Black, had an action-packed year in 2010. With a trip to Glenlivet estate in the Cairngorms National Park, a bird-ringing session, and even a chance to take part in BBC’s Live ‘n’ Deadly TV programme, the group provided exciting and fun ways for children aged between five and 12 to learn more about nature while getting active outdoors.
Group organiser Lynne Laing said: “Since summer 2009, we have been working hard, with support from the Scottish Wildlife Trust, to create a Wildlife Watch group which local kids really enjoy. Being acknowledged as one of the top groups in Britain is a real achievement for us and the children. To help us deliver fun and interesting activities, we always give the kids a chance to feedback on sessions and suggest activities they would like to try. We often have guest experts in to show the kids skills like bushcraft and bird ringing, and we were even visited by a storytelling fire spinning elf at Christmas.
“We have such an enthusiastic bunch of children, which makes running the group easy to do and very rewarding”
Donna Mathieson, the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s People and Wildlife Officer, said: “This accolade is a fantastic and well-deserved achievement for the Moray Wildlife Watch group. Without dedicated volunteers, we couldn’t deliver our current network of children’s groups which aim to connect children with their local wildlife.”
Moray wildlife Watch group is based in Lhanbryde, Elgin, and meets once a month. To see the current programme for Moray Wildlife Watch group, or to book your place, check http://www.swt.org.uk/kids/watch/elgin/.
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PHOTO CAPTION
Kids of Moray Wildlife Watch group took part in the BBC’s Live and Deadly children’s TV programme last year (c) Scottish Wildlife Trust
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Donna Mathieson, People and Wildlife Officer for the Scottish Wildlife Trust
Tel: 0131 312 4712 or email: dmathieson@swt.org.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. Scottish Wildlife Trust 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. Scottish Wildlife Trust seeks to raise public awareness of threatened habitats and species and manages over 120 reserves Scotland-wide.
2. Scottish Wildlife Trust receives financial assistance and support from a range of organisations, funders and individuals, including Scottish Natural Heritage and the People’s Postcode Lottery.