Pupils help make Moray schools greener and climate ready
School grounds across Moray are set to become greener and better prepared for a changing climate as part of the Climate Ready Schools project.
The project is working with an initial five schools to introduce more nature into their grounds, including native trees, hedges, wildflower meadows and ponds. A further eight schools are also being developed as part of the project being highlighted ahead of Climate Week Scotland from 28 September to 4 October 2026.
Over the past year, pupils have worked with Wild Things and Nature4Health (N4H) to survey their school grounds, looking at existing habitats and how ready they are for the effects of climate change. N4H has also delivered climate optimism workshops with pupils.
Teachers and their classes have received practical outdoor learning training from Wild Things and N4H, helping schools make greater use of their grounds for learning and play.
Working with head teachers, Moray Council’s Climate Change team has design plans that will create new habitats for wildlife while helping schools cope better with hotter weather, high winds and heavy rainfall.
Trees and hedges will provide shade and shelter, while planting and other natural features can help hold water during heavy downpours. By focusing on native species, the project will also create more food and habitat for local wildlife.
Work on the first school grounds will begin this autumn, with groundworks planned during the October school holidays. Pupils will then get involved in planting days in late November and early December with the physical enhancements funded by the Nature Restoration fund.
The project is not only about changing school grounds. This term, Moray Outdoor Woodland Learning Group is delivering outdoor learning training for two teachers from every Moray school, helping staff build the skills and confidence to take learning outside.
Access to good-quality natural spaces at school can encourage children and young people to spend more time learning and playing outdoors, supporting health and wellbeing as well as Learning for Sustainability.
Moray Council’s Climate Champion, Cllr Draeyk van Der Horn, said: “Climate Ready Schools is about giving our young people the knowledge, skills and confidence to understand the changing climate and play their part in building a resilient future. Resilience starts at school, and the lessons we learn there can shape how we all respond in the years ahead.
“By bringing more trees, hedges, meadows and ponds into school grounds, we can create better places for children to learn and play, support wildlife and make our schools more resilient. It also creates opportunities for pupils, parents, teachers and guardians to connect with and learn from the natural world by working directly with it, while taking practical action that benefits our communities now and in the future.”
Chair of Moray Council Economic Development and Infrastructure Services Committee, Cllr Marc Macrae, added: “It’s particularly important that pupils are involved in the project, from surveying their school grounds through to getting their hands dirty on planting days. Assisting their education of our climate needs is as important as the actions being taken and I’m pleased to see this coming to pass.”