This summer Forest School has really taken root in Kilsture Forest. Toni Lamont, known as Ranger Toni, led a brilliant series of 12 Forest School sessions during the summer holidays, attended by 162 children and 80 adults, supported by D&G Woodlands. Since then she has also led taster sessions with small groups from our local primary schools - Kirkinner, Port William, Whithorn, Garlieston and Penninghame. These sessions are part of a feasibility study into how Forest School can become part of the primary school curriculum, commissioned by Kislture Forest Community Group and funded by Kilgallioch Community Fund. The idea has been very enthusiastically received by the schools and it is Toni's aim is that every primary school aged child in the Machars will experience Forest School in Kilsture. KFCG is committed to making that happen, funding permitting.
Below is a short reflection from Ranger Toni on the Summer Programme, published on D&G Woodlands website.
“Running a forest school programme at Kilsture Forest has been an incredibly rewarding experience, where I was able to share my enthusiasm for nature whilst supporting young people to strengthen their connection to local wild spaces.
Delivering these sessions [with in the heart of Kilsture Forest was a magical experience, where the Beech trees swayed above our heads, the leaves crunched under our feet, the feeling of luscious ferns, lichens and mosses under our fingertips. It was the perfect setting for letting our curiosity for nature run wild. Throughout all of the sessions, we investigated what creatures lived in the woods.
From their avid hunting, the children recorded new biological records for the forest, our favourite new record being the common pill millipede, as we admired its way of avoiding predation.
I witnessed children transform as they engaged with the activities and each other, where friendships blossomed and skills were gained.
One of the best moments was watching a group of children work together to build a shelter from natural materials. Their enthusiasm, creativity, and teamwork were truly inspiring. They learned not just about the forest and its ecosystems but also about cooperation and problem-solving.
Having children immersed in woodland environments is crucial for their development. It fosters a connection to nature, enhances physical and mental well-being, and cultivates a sense of environmental stewardship.
In the forest, learning is a natural byproduct of having fun—it’s about experiencing the world firsthand, which is something irreplaceable in today’s digital age. Kilsture Forest has been the perfect backdrop for these transformative experiences, and I feel privileged to have been a part of it.”
McNabb Laurie, from Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands, added:
“Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands is already getting involved in so many tree-related activities, including landowner advice through to actual administration of planting grants. Amongst all of that, it is so important that we focus on engagement with the next generation, establishing that vital link between people and woodlands at a young age. We are so grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Kilsture Forest Community Group for making the programme possible, and to Toni for leading such a varied and popular series of events!”
The Summer Programme was supported by Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands, a new initiative seeking to support trees, habitats and the people that depend upon them across the region. The programme was delivered thanks to a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands is working with a range of partners including Borders Forest Trust, Woodland Trust Scotland, Dumfries & Galloway Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund. For more information about Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands, follow the facebook or twitter pages, visit the website www.dgwoodlands.org.uk or sign up for the newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/iAlL6k.
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