our-environment
This year’s fifth Imbewu Scotland programme is already underway, with a new selection of students arriving this time at the Douglas and Angus Estate in Lanarkshire.     Eleven young people from four different schools secured places on this intake of the popular programme, which provides opportunities for urban young people to connect with their rural heritage through a week-long course comprising of a wilderness trail and a conservation volunteering residential.    Our home for both experiences is the 33,000 acre estate belonging to the Douglas-Home family and it is with the kind permission of the Earl of Home that we are able to explore this landscape and shadow the estate staff.
At the end of the week students will be presenting to an invited audience, relaying their experiences and how the journey has impacted on them.   During their time with us, participants will be immersed deeply into the natural world and develop a closer relationship with the environment.    We will also be looking at skills development, opportunities in the rural sector and through a conservation project on the estate will learn how we each have a part to play in protecting the environment.
Along side the soft learning outcomes, successful participants will also receive accreditation in the form of the John Muir Award and the Leave No Trace Awareness certificate.     The Wilderness Foundation UK is a registered Leave No Trace centre, with most staff members having undertaken the Trainers Course, qualifying them to go out and deliver the Leave No Trace programme for schools, community groups and anyone and everyone who accesses the outdoors for recreation, health or active sporting pursuits.  To find out more about Leave No Trace click here.
We are delighted to be welcoming Aileen Campbell, MSP to the Estate on Sunday where she will present the children with their awards.
Our thanks to all our Imbewu Scotland partners and all the hardworking estate staff and owners who have welcomed us into their land and homes this year.