Evening Telegraph (First Edition)

Seeds of Wee Forests scheme need growth

FEW primary schools in Dundee are taking advantage of the Wee Forests initiative, a study revealed.

Research by Dundee University found that more effort is needed by schools to promote the use of Wee Forests and resources to support visits.

Researcher­s from the university’s Botanic Garden and School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Law discovered that out of 33 primary schools in the city, only four use the green spaces at least once a month.

Only 12 of 33 schools responded to the survey. Two use the Wee Forest in their area on a regular basis while another two used theirs once a month. The other responding schools used their green spaces every six months or less.

The Wee Forest pilot programme – led by Naturescot and supported by £500,000 of Scottish Government funding – saw 20 urban forests set up across the country in 2021 and 2022.

Four were planted across Dundee – in Stobswell, Douglas, Kirkton and Lochee.

The forests were created near primary schools lacking nearby green spaces to support naturebase­d solutions to social and environmen­tal issues in areas with high levels of deprivatio­n.

The aim was to improve the local environmen­t and biodiversi­ty, and become a potential resource for learning and play.

The university’s botanic garden was the project’s local delivery partner and academics conducted research – initiated and funded by Naturescot – to discover ways in which sites in Dundee are used. As part of their study, the research team found six schools within a 20-minute walk of a Wee Forest, a further two within a 25-minute walk and 25 more than a 25-minute walk away.

In relation to other local green spaces, 23 schools are within a 20-minute walk, four within a 25-minute walk, while six primaries are further than a 25-minute walk away.

Dr Kumara Ward, research lead at the Division of Education and Society, who led the study, said: “A few schools made a real effort to get out once a month but, in reality, few got out every month.

“We found similar barriers across lots of the schools – curriculum restraints, a lack of curriculum time and issues in relation to supervisio­n ratios required for an out-of-school visit.”

A recommenda­tion for the local authority to develop guidelines to support schools in addressing barriers related to curriculum time is made within the report, which also makes recommenda­tions including planting more Wee Forests and engaging green liaison officers to promote and support visits.

Promoting educationa­l resources to assist understand­ing and encourage engagement with the Wee Forests and local green spaces was also recommende­d.

A Dundee City Council spokespers­on said: “Our children and young people are provided with various opportunit­ies to explore and engage with nature through learning.

“The Wee Forests are just one of many ways for them to enjoy the outdoors and learn more about the natural world.

“Learning or sustainabi­lity is an important component of Curriculum for Excellence, an entitlemen­t for all Dundee learners and a core part of teachers’ profession­al standards.

“This approach weaves together global citizenshi­p, sustainabl­e developmen­t education and outdoor learning.”

Naturescot’s outdoor learning adviser, Penny Martin, said: “We’re pleased to hear Wee Forests are bringing benefits to local communitie­s who use them and we welcome all efforts to make sure children and young people can enjoy these special places too.”