Unit 1 4.2. Explain ways to involve learners in sustainable woodland management.

🌳 Sustainable Woodland Management Activities (SEN Inclusive)

Tree Care Tasks

  • Planting young trees and shrubs – we have a delivery of saplings in late November every year and the whole school come together to plant a tree.
  • Watering young trees and shrubs – saving the rainwater and using lightweight watering cans
  • Composting and Mulching
  • Identifying healthy vs damaged branches and using appropriate tools and pruning techniques
  • Harvesting fruit from our fruit trees

Path and Area Maintenance

  • Leaf clearing using rakes, brooms and litter pickers (always a favourite!!!)
  • Creating woodchip pathways for exploration
  • Stacking logs to create bug habitats
  • Using logs to create a seating area

🐞 Wildlife & Eco Project Ideas

Bug and Insect Projects

  • Building bug hotels using pinecones, bamboo, sticks and pallets – the photo above shows a bughouse using a recycled wooden dolls house. We have several of these creating a “Bug house village”
  • Make beetle logs by drilling holes into fallen wood
  • Identify common insects using visual ID charts

Bird Care Activities

  • Make bird feeders using pinecones, fat balls or recycled cartons
  • Filling and maintaining bird feeders
  • Birdwatching / listening with simple spotting sheets
  • We created a “Bird Buffet” for all classes to use

3. Mammal & Minibeast Support

  • Create hedgehog houses from wood and leaves

♻️ Eco & Sustainability Projects

Recycling & Reuse

  • Create planters from old tyres
  • Make seed bombs using native wildflower seeds

Composting and food waste initiatives

  • Food scraps collections – This was introduced with bins going into every classroom. This has now been rolled out across the whole school with large bins situated in 5 areas around the school
  • Turning compost

Saving water

  • Water plants with collected rainwater
  • Set up water butts

✅ Outcomes to Evidence

Learners can:

  • Identify local wildlife
  • Demonstrate care for living things
  • Follow multi-step outdoor tasks
  • Use tools safely to maintain outdoor spaces
  • Demonstrate teamwork and responsibility

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