Our Eco-Group Coordinator, Mrs Sasha Roberts, was asked a range of questions about our biodiversity initiatives at Glenalmond as part of an interview for a rewilding article which appeared in the Sunday Times yesterday.
Mrs Sasha Roberts, Eco-Group, Coordinator - Interview with Sunday Times
Why were rewilding nature schemes initiated?
Glenalmond is very aware of the importance of protecting the many species of wildlife we are fortunate to share our 300 acres of grounds with and we have a range of initiatives underway - from our new eco garden (made using upcycling materials) to our wildflower meadow, pond establishment and hedgerow and tree planting.
What responsibility do you feel schools with large grounds have to their natural surroundings?
It is immensely important that schools, and indeed everyone, takes their responsibilities to wildlife and nature seriously and a lot of small, low cost steps can be taken which can make a big difference in the long-term.
How do you feel it has benefited the grounds and the students?
It has been very satisfying to see the results and we are delighted with the flourishing wildlife populations we have at Glenalmond - from dippers and kingfishers by the River Almond to one of the most thriving populations of Red Squirrels you will see anywhere. The pupils get a huge amount from being outdoors in terms of their physical health and there is no doubt that seeing the amount of nature we have around us is also very good for mental health, for both pupils and staff. I recently spent a few hours with our Eco Group pupils digging an area of land for a pond and there is no better therapy for mental wellbeing that wielding a spade on a project like that!
We also have some very valuable support from former pupils - Old Glenalmonds - who are also very keen to ensure the school grounds are maintained and enhanced from a biodiversity point of view.
Would you like to see this extended to other schools? I think everyone can take small steps to improve the environment. One key blocker is that “untidy” is usually good but it can take a while to recognise and accept that! An immaculate lawn is not the best habitat for biodiversity so a balance has to be found to ensure wildlife can co-exist and thrive - and we are proving this is possible here at Glenalmond.
How do you hope this could help boost biodiversity? We are really seeing the benefits of the small, steady steps we are taking. Our birdlife and wildlife populations are thriving and the Red Squirrel count we just completed as part of the National Red Squirrel Survey revealed a record number of red squirrels. But we are not complacent at all and will keep looking for ways to further improve habitat and increase the awareness of pupils about just how important it is to look after what we have for future generations. The school has been around for 175 years and we want to make sure its grounds stay rich in biodiversity for the next 175 years to come!
