Gold and Silver Awards for Fraserburgh Wildlife Explorers

Last modified: 25 May 2012

Fraserburgh Wildlife Explorers at RSPB Loch of Strathbeg (from left to right: Kirsty McLeod, Eilidh Thomas, Leah Garland, Keira Garland and Lena Forsyth) Credit: Irene Jappy

Image: Irene Jappy

Local Youngsters Recognised for Stepping Up for Nature

Two young members of the Fraserburgh Wildlife Explorers, a local group for junior members of the RSPB, have recently received RSPB Wildlife Action Awards in recognition of their contribution to nature conservation. Lena Forsyth, aged 11, received a silver award while Kirsty McLeod, aged 7, received gold.

To get the awards, the girls completed a number of activities across the four RSPB Wildlife Action Award categories – ‘Finding out what’s there’, ‘Helping wildlife’, ‘Being environmentally friendly’ and ‘Spread the word’.

After receiving her award, Kirsty said: “I feel very proud to get the award. I did a lot of work. My favourite bit was the crafts and the pond dipping, but I enjoy everything really!”

Lena said: "I like going to the RSPB Wildlife Explorers at RSPB Loch of Strathbeg because I have met new people and got to learn about the wildlife around me. I liked making the bug hotel the best because my friends and I could decide on the materials we made it with and we did it without help."

A significant task the whole group took part in was the creation of a wildlife pond at RSPB Loch of Strathbeg, helping to improve the area for wildlife. Lena also built a pond in her own garden. To help ‘spread the word’; Lena gave a talk about the Wildlife Explorers at her school, Mintlaw Primary, while Kirsty was featured in local papers in a piece describing how she was working towards her gold Wildlife Action Award. Both girls have also persuaded their whole families to get involved, with both their parents and grandparents regularly helping out with tasks such as litter picking. Other activities the girls have taken part in include pond dipping, nest box building, making bird food and building a bug hotel from recyclable materials such as old pallets, bricks and pipes.

Group leader, Irene Jappy added: “The girls have worked extremely hard and it is great to see them rewarded for all their efforts. They are a credit to the Fraserburgh Wildlife Explorers group.”

Nicole Brandon, RSPB Scotland Youth Officer said: “The two young conservationists have made a positive difference for wildlife by studying, helping and sharing the natural world. We are thrilled that they’ve earned their Wildlife Action Awards and cannot wait to see what their next steps for nature will be!”

The Fraserburgh Wildlife Explorers meet monthly on Saturdays at RSPB Loch of Strathbeg from 11am to 1 pm. The group also visits other areas of interest locally, encouraging and developing an interest in birds and wildlife among young people aged 7-16. For further information, please contact Group Leader Jim Lister on 01358 789 880.