Hello all , my name is Scott Gardner and I’ve recently started work with the Conservation Volunteers ( TCV ) Stirling as a Discovering Nature Trainee (part of the Inner Forth Landscape Initiative and the Forth Coastal project). This is a great opportunity for me and I am very keen to learn and to gain new skills that I can use in the future. Working within the Inner Forth area has given me a wide range to cover, from Stirling all the way to Rosyth.
Recording the gps for wild orchids.
I really enjoy being outdoors and I love mountain biking, Kayaking, and exploring new places. When I was young, I spent most of my time playing in the local forest and making dens and climbing trees (the kind of thing kids did before they got their hands on smart phones, tablets and games consoles!) Getting kids and families outside is healthy, good for the soul and is absolutely free!
Discovering Nature / Play Sessions.
In my role so far, I’ve been involved in running natural play sessions for children and families. Natural play is about giving the kids a right to play, using their environment and the natural things around them. Most importantly, it gives them a chance for their imagination to run wild, to have fun and to develop essential skills and knowledge needed to grow as a person. Climbing trees, making dens, splashing in puddles, playing in the mud and exploring the local green spaces and forests is what it’s about!
Fun Time !
Citizen Science
This is about getting the kids and parents to take part in recording wildlife . This could mean what wildlife they saw , or herd . We get them to take part in a nature hunt , and encourage them to complete it and then bring it back all filled in , then they get to make a badge to say they have been a scientist for the day. Which is their reward for their hard work and effort . It could be done out on a walk ,or on the way to school or even on the way home.
Training Courses .
I have been on a few training courses which were excellent and informative learning new things and gaining new skills also meeting some really nice people. I really enjoyed the Lichen and bryophytes training where I had to go out and collect examples of the different lichens and identify them. I have also been on The Natural play session training which was fantastic. Learning how to engage and inspire the children to enjoy playing and get their hands dirty while doing so. I can remember my days as a child playing in the mud, making mud pies using my mum’s pots and pans from the kitchen . This was amazing fun and kept me happy for hours.
I hope you all enjoy my first of many blogs and if you would like more information about The Conservation Volunteers Stirling ( TCV ) and what we have to offer please feel free to get in touch !
Thanks for reading my blog and hope you enjoyed it , Keep your eyes peeled for my next one !
Scott , s.gardner@tcv.org.uk .