Enjoy this updated short film about our work. Sourcing funding to keep the ranger service afloat is an ongoing task so if you value what we do and would like to contribute, there is a justgiving page here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/supportmullandionarangerservice
outdoor learning
Working with Bunessan and Iona schools
A little round-up of some recent ranger sessions with the children of the Ross of Mull and Iona. Environmental education is an integral part of our work, encouraging everyone to connect with nature and take action to care for it.
We run afterschool clubs with both Bunessan and Iona primary schools.
Fiona Fraser helped us learn how to be archaeologists with her simulated dig activities.
Both groups found out about the night sky, making star constellations with candles on the beach.
As spring approached we investigated nearby trees and how to identify them from their bark and twigs before the leaves had opened, then thought about what characters might represent them!
Meanwhile in class time, Iona primary became soil scientists helping us investigate the grassland health of nearby farmland, and Bunessan primary are busy writing new information signs for their nature trail at Tiroran Community Forest.
Thank you to all volunteers, parents, colleagues and teachers – it’s always a pleasure to collaborate!
It’s Outdoor Classroom Day on May 23rd: https://outdoorclassroomday.com/
Positive Imaginings
At the end of September the ranger service teamed up with Rowanbank Environmental Arts and Education to bring their Positive Imaginings Climate Circus to the woodlands of Mull!
Undaunted by the (at times challenging) weather, the team began to set up and rehearse at Aros Park and Tiroran Community Forest.
We worked with children and staff from all 6 Mull primary schools on interactive workshops about climate change. Sadly Iona school were unable to join in due to weather cancelling ferries.
A series of games and demonstrations helped to explain the science and causes of global warming, how it links to climate change, then we heard about situations around the world where many people had been inspired to become involved in solutions when just one person voiced their idea and started taking action in their own small way. People such as Wangari Maathai planting trees in Africa, or Afroz Shah cleaning beaches in India – their individual actions have built into global environmental movements.
The children used natural materials to make pictures of the positive futures they would like to see, featuring water-powered cars, solar panels, communities that grow their own food, and lots of trees.
Later in the week everyone had a chance to experience a colourful and exciting outdoor performance through the joy and wonder of storytelling, circus and connecting with nature. As the audience arrive at the forest, they are met by Flow, the forest dreamer, and Jay, the planter of oak trees, who introduce them to all the plants and animals living there.
However, as the story unfolds, Flow starts finding black bags in the forest, which represent real environmental problems, and becomes weighed down with anxiety and despair. Jay and the audience must seek help from Anam the Dreamweaver.
Anam empowers people to make their dreams a reality, and weaves the children’s dreams into a bright cloth representing collective action.
At first Flow cannot see the colours, but Anam helps Flow understand that what is needed is a new perspective, to use our imagination to find new ways of thinking and doing. Flow learns how to live with her climate worries and manage these complex emotions: by working with others to take climate action; and by remembering to notice the natural beauty that exists all around us.
The performance ends with a ceremony in which everyone has a chance for their dreams to be heard, the first step towards living in a kinder way for all who share this planet.
Thanks to our fundraising efforts, the work with schools and an additional public performance were supported by The Waterfall Fund, Argyll and Bute Council Supporting Communities Fund, The National Lottery Community Fund and partners An Tobar and Mull Theatre, Forestry and Land Scotland, Mull & Iona Community Trust and South West Mull & Iona Development.
We need to change the pattern, to see things from a different perspective. How do you imagine a positive future here on our islands? What one action could you start taking for our shared environment and communities?
Photos by Ranger Service and Rowanbank staff and volunteers
Spring walk around Tiroran Forest nature trail
Join me on a little walk around the nature trail set up by Bunessan Primary School’s Class 1 last autumn, to look at the changes now it’s spring.
Can you spot the differences between November and May in the photos below?
The fungi we found have all disappeared or dried up, but instead there’s lots of spring flowers. Can you spot primrose with yellow pimpernel, violet, dandelion, tormentil, bluebell, wood anemone and willow? Click on the pictures to zoom in.
There’s lots of fresh green leaves as well…beech and larch trees, spruce tree buds opening, ferns, young hazel tree, birch tree, rowan tree seedling, bilberry. Again, click on the pictures to zoom in.
It’s been a really dry spring. The burn beside the path has completely dried up.
The sphagnum moss which was so colourful in the autumn has dried out and turned pale, and all the water in the little pond below the fallen tree roots has gone, can you see the pondweed leaves sticking to the mud?
The puddles along the track where we saw lots of creatures have dried up, just last year’s cones now lying on the ground.
Some things have stayed the same though: our markers with painted numbers, the little bridge and evidence of deer!
Autumnal adventures
Working with our local primary schools has been a real highlight for the ranger service this autumn. Click here to see Ulva primary’s report of their Woodland Workshop with Jan.
Down on the Ross Emily has been helping Class 1 at Bunessan primary with their topic about designing a nature trail.
First some research on habitats and the wildlife living there:
Followed by a couple of visits to Tiroran Community Forest to test out the route of our new trail with help from Community Forester Philip Yielder who marked the route with posts.
The new trail begins by following the river upstream.
The class produced their own maps, poetry and drawings which went into a leaflet and a beautiful wall display.
Finally it was opening day – the children gave a speech and guided their guests around. Well done everyone!
Soon you’ll be able to pick up a leaflet from the bridge next time you visit the forest and try the route for yourself – wellies recommended!
Also in the forest, the main Woollen Woods display has been taken down, but a few creatures made of natural wool have been moved to the Giant Heads area, see if you can spot them!
Meanwhile Bunessan’s afterschool nature club have been exploring colour and pattern in nature, playing some eco board games and learning about the night sky.
How many star constellations can you recognise?
We seem to have escaped most of the floods and experienced a lot of dry sunny weather this autumn as these photos from Burg last week demonstrate:
Mull & Iona Ranger Service 