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Biodiversity

Biodiversity

The world is made of an amazing invisible web that we rarely recognise. Healthy biodiversity supports healthy ecosystems which make life possible. We can support biodiversity by encouraging wildlife and habitats, supporting conservation and connecting to nature through our senses.

The Biodiversity Topic has some natural overlap with Water, Litter & Waste, School Grounds and Health & Wellbeing.

Biodiversity Action Course

Aimed at secondary school pupils, this SCQF level 4 course will support young people to develop their knowledge of key biodiversity concepts on how the natural world works and how we are dependent on its healthy functioning. It will build awareness of what positive action they might take to address the causes of biodiversity loss and skills to plan action for a nature positive future.

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Biodiversity Live Lessons

Interactive lessons and classroom resources to support your work on the Biodiversity Topic. 

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Resources

A Year of Tree Stories

In this activity, pupil will learn about the myths surrounding our native trees, as well as getting to know the trees themselves better with a wonderful resource from Forestry Commission Scotland.

All About Flapper Skates

A worksheet to accompany our Live Lesson with RZSS.

Comic Strip Template

Create a comic strip about the story of a plastic bottle, a marine animal or anything else!

Craftivism Activity

Make an artwork inspired by the work of Scottish Artist Paul Bartlett.

Curricular Map: Biodiversity Topic

Experiences and Outcomes related to the Eco-Schools Biodiversity Topic.

Fast Fashion

Explore your relationship with fashion.

Food Chains / Web of Life

Two activities, the first is a simple activity from Keep Wales Tidy to help young children understand food webs. The second is an activity from Keep Scotland Beautiful for older pupils, where pupils create a food web based on local animals and plants.

Forest Myths & Stories

In this activity, pupils will explore myths and stories relating to trees and forests and use them as inspiration to create their own tales. .

Gaelic Tree Alphabet

This resource helps pupils connect to their local trees and plants, as well as our Gaelic cultural heritage. There are activities for younger and older pupils, which can be adapted to suit your individual setting. The activity was created in celebration of International Day of Forests, which takes place every year on 21st March.

Garden for Life Resources

Make your garden a haven for wildlife with the Garden for Life Forum.

Goal 14: Life Below Water

A list of learning activities and curricular links on life below water.

Goal 15: Life on Land

A list of learning activities and curricular links on life on land.

How to Build a Pond

Froglife’s experts share how to create ponds to support wildlife.

How to Measure the Height & Age of a Tree

A simple STEM activity to help you estimate the height and age of a tree.

Hurray for Dandelions!

Dandelions are often considered weeds but they are a source of pollen and nectar for insects in the Spring.

Land Art Activity

Create art using natural materials that leaves no environmental impact.

Lesson Plan: Inviting Pollinators to the School Grounds

This lesson plan, invites you to learn more about pollinators and create a pollinator friendly garden. This lesson has been adapted from a Portuguese entry to a FEE lesson plan competition.

Live Lessons: Biodiversity

Interactive lessons and classroom resources to support your work on the Biodiversity Topic.

Music from Forests

In this activity, pupils will first explore sounds from nature, including sounds from inside a tree. They will then use natural materials to create their own music.

RZSS Animal Bingo Game

A game designed to increase pupils' knowledge of biodiversity.

RZSS Useful Websites

List of resources courtesy of Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS)

Scotland's Wildlife & Folk Tales

Storyteller and author Allison Galbraith takes us on an imaginary trip to learn about some of Scotland’s wildlife using old folk tales.

Scottish Natural Heritage - Dictionary of Gaelic Words

A dictionary of Gaelic nature words.

Scottish Outdoor Access Code Education Pack

A series of activities produced by NatureScot that help children and young people understand their responsibilities in outdoor environments.

Scottish Species Word Jumble

Can you unscramble the names of these Scottish native species?

Sea Turtle Game

A simple way for children to understand the impacts of plastic pollution on wildlife.

Seasonal Map Activity

Create a map of all the different environments in your local area.

Story: The Chalk Garden

Author and illustrator Sally Anne Garland joins us courtesy of the Scottish Book trust to read her story ‘The Chalk Garden’ and teaches us how to draw some of the bugs we can see in our gardens.

Story: The Last Wolf

Author and Illustrator Mini Grey reads her book "The Last Wolf" courtesy of the Scottish Book Trust.

Top Plants

A card game for 2 players all about plants that can grow in your school grounds

Trees Through the Seasons

To gain a deeper appreciation for nature and its rhythms through the seasons.

UNCB - Teacher's Corner

Resources compiled by the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity

Web of Life Activity

Learn about the wider impacts of biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse.

Webinar: Why Should We Care about Biodiversity?

A webinar from WWF Malaysia about the importance of biodiversity, the challenges and threats, as well as taking action from the Eco-Schools perspective.

Wildlife Watch Part 1

We share our environment with thousands of other species - what wildlife lives near you?

Wildlife Watch Part 2

How can we care for an animal that lives near us?

Wildlife Watching

How to spot wildlife at Scotland's beaches.

Your Local Trees & Forests

This resource encourages pupils to find their local trees and forest and learn more about them through thinking about their various roles and interviewing local residents. They will then share their findings as stories, artworks or plays.

Environmental Protection & Indigenous Knowledge

Lesson plan from Deutsche Welle in partnership with FEE.

Protecting Wild Animal Habitat

Introducing people doing conservation work where they live. From Deutsche Welle in partnership with FEE.

Pollinators Under Threat

What can we do to protect pollinating creatures? From Deutsche Welle in partnership with FEE

Protecting Our Forests

What can we do to protect forests? From Deutsche Welle in partnership with FEE.

Urban Green Spaces

Lessons on habitat for biodiversity from Deutsche Welle in partnership with FEE.

Guide: A Garden for Life

Guide to creating a garden that cares for biodiversity.

How To Measure The Height And Age Of A Tree

Apply simple maths in a practical context to estimate the height and age of a tree.

How Trees Prevent Flooding And Pollution

Learn how trees help prevent flooding and pollution as part of the water cycle.

Imagine You Are A

An engaging way for pupils to view the world from the perspective of the animals and plants that they share it with.

Inviting Pollinators To The Schoolyard

Investigate the value of pollinators and pollinator friendly plants. Adapted from a lesson created for the FEE Biodiversity Lesson Plan Competition.

Land Art

Use natural materials to create art, connecting them to the natural landscape. Finished creations are left to nature, connecting pupils to natural cycles. Adapted from a resource created by FEE.

Experiment: What are Trees Made of?

This experiment will introduce pupils to the important role of trees and forests in the Carbon Cycle

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