REWILDING FIFTY-TWO ACRES

We are determined to play our part in turning around biodiversity loss – and can do that by restoring nature within our school grounds. But perhaps a greater contribution can be made by installing an understanding of the urgent need for nature recovery in the next generation.

Leslie

Kent, Housemaster

Wild Walks for Wellbeing

STRATHALLAN HAS FORMULATED A WHOLE SCHOOL CAMPUS PLAN FOR THE REWILDING AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF FIFTY-TWO ACRES ON THE ESTATE. THE PROJECT PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO LEARN ABOUT THE PRACTICALITIES OF ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION AND ITS CRITICAL ROLE IN TACKLING THE TWIN BIODIVERSITY AND CLIMATE CRISES. KEY COMMITMENTS INCLUDE MORE SPACE FOR WATER, LETTING NATURE LEAD AND CONNECTING WITH COMMUNITIES.

Progress has already been made on restoring a former curling pond as a wildlife habitat and removing some of the non-native rhododendrons which are stifling the native vegetation; planting bee-friendly wildflower meadows around the rough areas of the golf course and planting hedgerows around the campus boundaries.

A series of educational nature walks have been created around the campus, allowing pupils, staff and visitors to enjoy walking on the “wild side” of the school estate. The suggested maps and information boards allow an immersive experience and a chance to see, hear and connect with the diversity of life. There are 4 walks each highlighting the history and natural history of the Strathallan estate including how the estate was once a world-renowned arboretum housing an unusual variety of trees, a pond and several waterways. It is also home to several rare animals including the red squirrel and nationally scarce hawfinch, not to mention moths that are only common in the south.

The Big Picture – Time for the Wild Strathallan is the only Scottish school subscribed to the “Big Picture” an organisation devoted to the recovery of nature across Scotland through rewilding. During a recent visit to the school, Peter Cairns, Chief Executive of the Big Picture gave a thought-provoking talk to pupils about the importance of rewilding, and how in the organisations view rewilding as an evolving process of nature recovery that leads to restored ecosystem health, function and completeness.

One of our pupils, Hannah J. UV1 was so inspired she wrote an account of Peter’s visit pulling out the key parts of his talk and the elements that inspired her.

This is one of the phrases that stayed with me from The Big Picture’s chief executive Peter Cairns’ thought-provoking talk. Initially glancing at some of his astonishing nature photography, such as that of pristine, snow-white polar bears and majestic stags, I feared the speech wouldn’t reach the depth of the biodiversity crisis. However, Cairns began his talk by saying he does the majority of his current photography close to home and almost immediately emphasised the importance of noticing that although the pictures portray everything to be flourishing, all is not well in the natural world, hence the importance of rewilding Scotland. He focused on the question ‘What should Scotland look like?

His most memorable photograph in my opinion pictured a red squirrel peeking out between two fence posts, a touching image and highly relevant as Cairns mentioned that only decades ago, red squirrels were viewed as vermin and are now nationally adored; if we can allow room for squirrels, we can be open to what it will take to restore Scotland’s environment.

Most of the questions I had in mind were answered during the talk and those asked afterwards he answered eloquently and extensively, always remembering to refer to what was originally queried. Cairns didn’t come from a prestigious background, which makes where he is now even more admirable, skill earned from practice and passion that emanated from him while he was storytelling. He acknowledged the existence of social and political barriers in terms of taking action but suggested that in no way does rewilding set nature against people. The talk left my peers and I with hope, not helplessness. It re-inspired my passion to continue taking steps to recover the world we live in. He reiterated the importance of listening to nature’s cues, but most importantly, in order to achieve a levelled-out state, listening to each other. Near the end of the talk, Cairns cleverly altered the critical question to ‘What could Scotland look like?’ I daresay, from what I anticipate being the optimistic viewpoint of my generation, what will Scotland look like?

To find out more about the work that the Big Picture do, their related projects and activities and how you can become a supporter visit https://www.scotlandbigpicture.com/what-we-do

To view their beautiful thought provoking video, click on the QR code

ANDY HENDERSON, DIRECTOR OF STRATHALLAN RUGBY ACADEMY