The organisers of an outdoor learning scheme are “excited” to expand a new programme to Helensburgh and Lomond - as they encourage schools to get involved.

Environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful has announced the Learning about Forests (LEAF) programme will be available to schools across Scotland after more than 50 establishments participated in the pilot earlier this year.

The worldwide LEAF programme was created by global organisation the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and enables children to experience outdoor learning so that they can gain a better understanding of nature.

The initiative aims to reconnect children and young people of all ages with the environment while improving their knowledge of forest-based ecosystems and promoting outdoor education.

Education and learning officer at Keep Scotland Beautiful, Nicola Davidson, said: “LEAF is a fantastic opportunity for schools and nurseries to get involved in a project that supports mental and physical health of pupils and teachers, as well as giving pupils the opportunity to expand their learning in an outdoor environment.

“Outdoor learning and nature connection are not an extra to be fitted in, they are key components of education that are being demanded by pupils, as seen in the recently published Learning for Sustainability Action Plan.

“Our LEAF pilot was full of enthusiastic participants, from those delivering the programme to the young people learning from it, and we’re excited to now be able to offer this to even more schools across Scotland.”

The LEAF pilot programme saw 53 schools and nurseries across 21 local authorities undertake a number of nature-based activities such as working with councils to make schools better for wildlife, and planting trees, flowers, bulbs, fruit and vegetables.

LEAF is a part of Keep Scotland Beautiful’s Climate Action Schools scheme - a framework of education initiatives which support the country’s educators and young people to expand their knowledge of climate change education.

Climate Action Schools also allows contributes towards the Curriculum for Excellence’s Learning for Sustainability goal to build a socially-just, sustainable and equitable society through education.

Published on Thursday, July 27, 2023, the Scottish Government’s Learning for Sustainability Action Plan 2023-2030 stated that learners “asked for more opportunities to learn outdoors and be in nature and to be empowered to make actionable changes in their educational settings to fully embrace the ethos of LfS.”

The expansion of the LEAF programme aims to increase these outdoor learning opportunities and enable students to take a leading role improving their school grounds and community in an eco-friendly way.

The programme is available for nurseries, primaries and secondary schools and can be adapted to suit pupils with additional support needs.

Participating schools and nurseries who show a commitment to outdoor education and an understanding of the importance of forest ecosystems can earn a LEAF award.

Numbers for the second roll-out of the LEAF programme are limited so schools are encouraged to enrol early to avoid disappointment.

Schools who register after the cap has been reached will be added to the waiting list for next year's programme.

Registration forms must be completed before the beginning of October 2023.

To register for the LEAF scheme or read more, visit: www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/climate-action-schools/leaf.