Biodiversity
Eco-Schools At Home Activities
Hurray for Dandelions! - #EcoSchoolsAtHome
Dandelions are widely considered terrible weeds, but they are full of wonderful properties for people and a fantastic early source of pollen and nectar for insects who have been waiting hungrily all through the winter.
Wildlife Watch Part 1 - #EcoSchoolsAtHome
We share out environment with thousands of other species who often need our help to make sure they can survive. One of the easiest ways we can all help is by simply looking out for and identifying different types of wildlife around where we live.
Wildlife Watch Part 2 - #EcoSchoolsAtHome
Following on from Wildlife Watch Part 1, we are now going to look at how we can care for an animal that lives near us. We could decide to help them out with a new habitat, or maybe better access to food? The tricky part is figuring out the best way to help them.
Featured Resources
Eco-Schools Curricular Map - Biodiversity Topic
Our revised curricular maps showing Experiences and Outcomes related to the Biodiversity Topic.
Featured Resource: Ocean Plastics Live Lesson with Doug Allan (Primary)
Wildlife photographer, cameraman and Upstream Battle Ambassador Doug Allan hosts a live lesson on his work filming shows like Blue Planet, his thoughts on marine litter and answering questions from pupils. Click the video to watch again.
What's Under Your Feet - The Pod
Join The Pod and the British Trust for Ornithology on an exciting citizen science campaign called ‘What’s under your feet’. Uncover the impact climate change is having on birds across the UK by collecting data from soil samples in October, March and June.
Scottish Natural Heritage - Scotland's Species
A detailed list of the species hosted by Scotland's diverse habitats.
Learn more about the variety of species hosted by Scotland's natural landscape
Learn more about how Scotland's landscape has been shaped over time
Scottish Natural Heritage - Activities for Your Class
Find free, downloadable resources to help you bring Scotland’s nature and landscapes to life outdoors and in the classroom.
Scottish Natural Heritage - Dictionary of Gaelic Nature Words
Scottish Natural Heritage sees Gaelic as a unique aspect of Scotland's heritage, national identity and cultural life and are committed to promoting Gaelic usage.
Butterfly Conservation Scotland - Identify a Butterfly
Not sure what kind of butterfly you've found in your garden or school grounds? Butterfly Conservation Scotland have a great identification tool that will help you find out. Search by size, colour or markings.
Butterfly Conservation Scotland - Big Butterfly Count
Help take nature's pulse by joining the Big Butterfly Count between 14th July and 6th August. The Big Butterfly Count is a nationwide survey aimed at helping to assess the health of our environment.
RSPB - Wild Challenge Awards
Can you hear that? That's the call of the wild! Wild Challenge is your chance to answer that call. Help wildlife, explore nature, and work towards awards by making your way through a heap of wild schools activities. What will your wild challenge be? This could form part of your work on Biodiversity.
RSPB - Give Nature a Home
No matter whether you have a few flowerpots, or a big school garden, the RSPB have activities to suit you. What will you try first?
BBC School Radio - Red Squirrels
Find out about our native squirrels, and how they're being protected from the grey squirrels that could drive them to extinction.
World's Largest Lesson - Goal 14: Life Below Water
World’s Largest Lesson introduces the Sustainable Development Goals to children and young people everywhere and unites them in action. Download lesson plans, comics and other resources on marine life to use in your classroom.
World's Largest Lesson - Goal 15: Life On Land
World’s Largest Lesson introduces the Sustainable Development Goals to children and young people everywhere and unites them in action. Download lesson plans, comics and other resources on biodiversity and ecosystems to use in your classroom.
Stride Global Citizenship Magazine - Go Fish!
Learn about sustainable fishing with this interactive fishing game and link learning to SDG 14 Life below Water. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
Biodiversity and Climate Change
Biodiversity and climate change are interrelated. Trees and oceans both absorb carbon dioxide produced by human activity and with 30 per cent of the Earth’s surface is covered by forests and another 75% is covered by oceans, it is clear that protecting habitats for wildlife is key to taking action on climate change.
SNH - Climate change impacts in Scotland
Climate change is happening now. How we choose to respond won’t just affect the survival of individual species and our distinctive landscapes. Climate change impacts will also affect our economy, culture and lifestyles. Read through sections on landscape, species, habitats and marine impacts.
UN Convention on Biological Diversity - Teacher's Corner
A list of resources and databases compiled by the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity.
Young People's Trust for the Environment - Climate Change and Animals
This factsheet takes a look at some of the challenges that animals might have to face in the future. How does climate change affect them?
Case Study - McLaren High School
Pupils at McLaren High School took part in several projects to improve Biodiversity in their school grounds, including Polli:nation with Grounds For Learning which aims to increase numbers of pollinators. Working together, pupils have transformed their grounds into a fantastic space for outdoor learning. Read more.
