WD OWL

25/02/2026

The latest Outdoor and Woodland Learning Scotland bulletin is out with lots of information about CPD training including some with Nature Scot about their new mapping system for schools and lots of competitions and resources including highlights from across the nationwide network.

You can find it here:

Updates from across the OWL Scotland network including national and local updates, courses, events, resources, funding, awards and much more

13/01/2026

Funding opportunity - applications are now open for the Learning Learning through Landscapes Local schools Nature grant - find out more here https://naturegrants.ltl.org.uk/

deadline for applications is 13th March 2026

08/01/2026

And we're back ... Happy New Year!

We're hoping to help you plan lots of outdoor adventures in 2026.

To start things off we have our first CPD training event coming up in just over a week - Birding Basics - please see details below.

Please book using Eventbrite: https://tinyurl.com/ywk3rc33

Any issues or questions contact [email protected]

08/12/2025

Lost Words Digital resource

You will likely already know that the majority of our activities in the West Dunbartonshire OWL group this year have been linked to a project specifically focused on The Lost Words spell book.

There's been some fantastic skill sharing and workshops. We know some people couldn't attend for a variety of reasons so we have tried to collate activity ideas into an online resource to help you share The Lost Words with your groups.

Please find a link to the resource here: https://padlet.com/wd_owl/the-lost-words-project-s6e7oqah5sn7y4o8

If you missed a skill share session - there's a specific column titled 'Ideas from local CPD sessions' in the online resource where you can find many of the activities that were shared.

25/11/2025

Update from Outdoor and Woodland Learning Scotland ...

Coming soon!! Film Screening and Discussion evening online!!
Great opportunity to view this film and the discuss the varied topics that were brought up in this thought provoking production.
OWL Scotland are delighted to invite you to join the online event, Three Words for Forest: Screening & Discussion, 9th December, 7-9pm
Three Words for Forest is a new play that draws on interviews with 30 forest practitioners, ecologists and policy-makers from across the UK and Europe to understand the challenges of making decisions in the face of multiple risks and deep uncertainties.
In a context of changing climate, increased threats from pests and diseases, timber shortages, shifting governmental priorities, global inequities, and emergent research, what actions do, can or should we take? What are the options and barriers? And how do we make decisions in the face of multiple risks, conflicting solutions and polarised opinions?
We will be joined by the play's creators, Prof Dee Heddon and Dr Rachel Clive (Glasgow University).
Audience/viewer feedback:
"It helped me understand a whole unseen world of forestry and the worries that surround these issues."
"A really beautiful and touching piece."
"Having the wide range of voices given equal weight was brilliant – it highlighted the need for folk to get together collectively."
The event is free, but places should be booked at

A screening of a new play drawing on 30 interviews with forestry practitioners, exploring the challenges they face in making decisions.

21/11/2025

Lost Words Art Competition winner announcement!!

You may remember that we ran an art competition linked to The Lost Words from August to October this year. We had some fantastic submissions and it was difficult for the judges to make a decision. The pieces were judged by a group of wildlife professionals who run outdoor learning as part of their roles, from RSPB, Woodland Trust and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

A huge thank you to everyone who submitted an entry and to the judges for helping to determine a winner.

The first prize went to Haldane Youth Services whose United Achievers Award group at Hop Skip and Jump took a visit to Inler Park and foraged brambles, sticks, leaves, and stones to create their own natural art materials. They made blackberry ink by crushing the berries and then created their own individual art piece.

The second prize went to Wilma’s Wishes community group who worked with pupils from St Michaels primary to look for acorns and conkers and bring them together to make their own art pieces.

Congratulations to both groups. You can see their submissions, prizes and celebrations below.

17/11/2025

It may seem like we're getting a bit ahead of ourselves but we thought we'd try and beat the xmas rush to get this date in your diaries for next year!....

We've got another CPD session coming up in January with some of the team from RSPB Loch Lomond. 🐦🦆

Please find the flyer below - for more details and to book please see our Eventbrite page: https://tinyurl.com/ywk3rc33

Please note this is a CPD session for adults - to provide you with tips about how to engage your groups and perhaps join in with the Bird School Birdwatch - https://www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happening/get-ready-for-big-schools-birdwatch

27/10/2025

We've got 2 networking sessions coming up this week with a spooky theme🦇

Come and chat with other like minded outdoor learning leaders and perhaps have a go at some activities and pick up some new ideas.

For more information or to book a space sign up via Eventbrite:
https://tinyurl.com/ywk3rc33

08/10/2025

Deadline for the Lost Words Autumn Art competition is this Friday 10th October! This is the prize up for grabs - https://www.tts-group.co.uk/tts-minibeasts-experiments-grab-and-go-kit/1003797.html?cgid=Primary-School_Gardens-Habitats_and_Observation with lots of other bits and bobs too. 🙃

Email your submissions to [email protected]

Any questions get in touch.