Students enjoy woodland film showcase
It isn’t the most usual place to curl up in with a good film, but five West Lothian schools recently opted for a woodland marquee, provided by the Woodland Trust Scotland (part of the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity) to showcase a very special premiere.
During 2008, the students were asked to explore where their attitudes to woodland came from, to think about their local woods and to make a short film which focused on the beneficial aspects of their natural heritage. They then worked together to prepare their own script, to star in, direct and produce the films which portray the natural environment in a positive light and encourage others to visit.
Kate Walters, the Trust’s Learning Project Officer, said “This project has been great fun for all those involved and has given these young people immense pride to be able to showcase their work to their friends and families in such a unique way. By choosing such an unusual setting to screen the films, we have demonstrated what a special place woodland can be.”
The project is part of the Branching Out West Lothian Project (BOWL) which aims to improve the biodiversity value of West Lothian’s woods, encourage more people to get out into the natural environment, as well as providing inspiration for learning across the curriculum by enabling schools to use woodland as a classroom.
If you are interested in the schools film production they are available to view at the Woodland Trust website: www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/bowl
The project has received funding from Heritage Lottery Fund, Scottish Natural Heritage and West Lothian Council.
Notes to editors
For media enquiries contact:
Jacqui Morris on 01355 578777 or mobile 07979 706675 alternatively call The Woodland Trust Press Office on 01476 581121, e-mail
media@woodlandtrust.org.ukThe Woodland Trust
The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. It has 300,000 members and supporters.
The Trust has three key aims: i) to enable the creation of more native woods and places rich in trees ii) to protect native woods, trees and their wildlife for the future iii) to inspire everyone to enjoy and value woods and trees
Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres). Access to its sites is free.
In 1984, the Trust acquired its first wood in Scotland. In the last 25 years the Trust has increased its holdings in Scotland it now owns 80 sites across Scotland covering 8,500 hectares. Further news can be accessed via this website.
Schools involved
Inveralmond Community High School; Deans Community High School; Linlithgow Academy; Whitburn Academy; Bathgate Academy