Borders environmental charity Tweed Forum is encouraging schools across the Scottish Borders and north Northumberland to sign up to TweedWATCH, a new free education initiative that teaches children about the natural environment surrounding the River Tweed and encourages a desire to protect it in the future.
TweedWATCH is now teaching primary and secondary school children about a host of topics including trees, river wildlife, land and freshwater minibeasts, pebbles, pollinators and plastic pollution.
Sessions are hosted by Tweed Forum Education and Engagement Officer, Jenny Holmes either at participating schools or at the Old Melrose Woodland Classroom*, where children are encouraged to get into the woods and onto riverbanks to develop an appreciation of nature in the river environment. Wellbeing in Nature sessions are also being delivered to pupils at both primary and secondary schools in recognition of the benefits of outdoor learning to children’s emotional and mental health.
As well as teaching children about the importance of the river landscape, the TweedWATCH project enables them to develop teamwork and communications skills. Exploring nature, especially in the woodlands, can also help improve their mood and self-esteem, reducing stress and encouraging independence and resilience.
Tweed Forum Chief Executive, Luke Comins said; “The River Tweed is recognised as one of the world’s great rivers and has contributed hugely to the area’s history, economy and culture, however decades of habitat loss and land use intensification have taken their toll. By teaching local children about the importance of the river and its natural environment, we hope to create a generation of river conservationists who will appreciate and protect it long into the future.”
TweedWATCH is an important element of Destination Tweed, a £25 million, 13-project initiative which is set to deliver significant economic, environmental, educational and social benefits to the south of Scotland and north Northumberland.
Destination Tweed Project Director, Luke Fisher added; “Destination Tweed aims to create a lasting legacy for the South of Scotland and north Northumberland and the TweedWATCH education initiative is a vital part of this. As well as teaching children about the Tweed’s natural environment, the project is showing them the benefits to their own health and wellbeing of getting out and enjoying our precious river environment. We hope that many schools throughout the area will choose to participate.”
Primary 1-3 children from Lilliesleaf Primary took part in a recent session at Old Melrose Woodland Classroom. Their teacher, Donella McCann said: “The children had an amazing day engaging with their natural surroundings in a beautiful setting. They loved the hands-on activities that used their senses to explore and identify woodland and river wildlife using collaboration and team building skills. Jenny provided a tailor-made learning opportunity for us at Old Melrose and also visited us in our school setting to connect with the children before their visit. It was a really valuable experience for all concerned.”
TweedWATCH is currently taking bookings for sessions in the 2024/25 school year. For further information, please contact Jenny Holmes by emailing jenny.holmes@tweedforum.org or calling 01896 849723.
TweedWATCH is funded by the the Fallago Environment Fund, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, EU Life Wader and Northumbrian Water.
Destination Tweed is being delivered by Tweed Forum. Other partners involved in the project are Scottish Borders Council, Northumberland County Council, Dumfries and Galloway Council, South of Scotland Enterprise, Sustrans, Southern Uplands Partnership, Buglife, Borders Forest Trust, Tweedsmuir Community Company, SEPA, VisitScotland and NatureScot as well as landowners along the river.
Destination Tweed is supported by over 30 funders. It is one of the projects within the Borderlands Growth Deal, with major funding also coming from South of Scotland Enterprise, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Sustrans, Northumberland County Council, EU Life, the Fallago Environment Fund and a range of Trusts and Foundations.
Destination Tweed is being delivered in stages across a five-year lifespan.