This year a new Wider Achievement Opportunity – The John Muir Award – was introduced in Drummond Community High School. Student Bilal Shahid tells Spurtle all about it.
John Muir was a Scottish-born American naturalist, author, and early advocate of what we now know as conservation. The award itself was launched by the John Muir Trust in 1997 to promote Muir’s message of preserving and exploring the wilderness.
There are three levels of Award: Discover, Explorer and Conserver. This year, with the support of the Holyrood Park Ranger Service, thirteen Drummond students and two teachers embarked on the 'Discover' Award. To achieve this, group members had to complete four challenges; Discover, Explore, Conserve and Share.
Our group chose Holyrood Park as our 'wild place', exploring its history, nature and geology. A memorable highlight was the day we went on a 'Druid Walk'. The Druid, a well disguised member of the Ranger Team, told us the names of the different tree species, their uses in medicine, and that many were sacred to the Celts. We heard some fascinating stories including how the Romans and rabbits came to Scotland.
On an 'Aquatic Safari', pond dipping in the freezing Wells o’ Wearie, we discovered that few species are in evidence in the winter. Shivering in the sleet and wind we did not wonder why for long!
For some, the best parts of the work for the award were the Conserve activities. Gorse cutting was our introduction to conservation work. Gorse is a prickly plant that catches fire very easily and fire can spread rapidly through it. Clearing areas between patches of gorse helps to slow the spread of fire within Holyrood Park.
We also did some path restoration on Arthur’s Seat, replacing stones removed by people to make messages on the hillside. Collecting the litter around St Margaret’s Loch helped restore the beauty spot and protect the wildlife. We were amazed to learn how long some types of rubbish take to biodegrade.
Sharing our experiences throughout the Award took the form of discussion, writing poetry, making posters, delivering assemblies to year groups in school, and writing this article (title by Holly Mitchell and text by Bilal Shahid).
The John Muir Discover Award was a very positive experience for us. One of the group said 'It’s a great way to spend time and learn about wildlife.
'The John Muir Award is a very accessible and inclusive way for young and old alike to appreciate and care for the nature around them.'
The most important thing that this author learned was that, just like us, the planet can be damaged and that our natural environment needs our protection and understanding.
We hope the John Muir Award will continue to be an integral part of Drummond Community High School’s provision of a Curriculum for Excellence, and that other students will enjoy and learn to value 'wild places' as we do.