This is a great fun activity and really easy to do. We used different species of moss in ours but you could use any small plants such as sedums and alpines that don’t grow too big. Once made just pop it on a sunny windowsill and watch it change and grow. It is also a great way to learn and watch the water cycle in action keeping your mini ecosystem alive and thriving.
Download the Mini Ecosystem leaflet to find out how to get started.
What’s a hibernaculum I hear you ask…..it is a warm, dry, safe place for reptiles and amphibians to hibernate over the winter. The word ‘hibernaculum’ means “winter quarter”, with the Latin word hibernus meaning “winter”.
Here in Shetland the Common Frog is our only amphibian, but they are plentiful. They hibernate over the winter in underground holes to avoid the cold and frost, their heart and breathing rate slow right down and they no longer need to find food.
By creating a hibernaculum in your garden, you are providing the perfect place for frogs to hibernate whilst making space for nature and encouraging more wildlife into your garden.
Download the Hibernaculum leaflet to find out how to get started.
This week is all about science. We want you to head back to the shore to collect more seaweed so that you can make your own renewable energy source- BIOGAS.
BIOGAS is made up of methane and carbon dioxide which can be used as a renewable source of fuel or turned into electricity and heat. Seaweed is a great material for making BIOGAS as seaweed farming is environmentally sustainable, but you can also give it a try with grass cuttings or food waste. You can also try changing the conditions in which you make your BIOGAS, try putting it in a sunny spot or dark cupboard, a warm or cold place- what happens?
Download our BIOGAS leaflet to get started.
This week will take you back to the beach to do a beach clean, great for helping nature by removing plastic from our seas and coastlines BUT dont throw it away, you’re going to need it for this weeks art project.
We will be using the marine litter to create a piece of wave art. You can get as creative as you like experimenting with different shapes, colours and textures. It is amazing the varity of man-made items that end up on our beaches!
Download our Make a Wave with Marine Litter leaflet to get started.
Our first school holiday project is a bit of an art and science project combined. You will need to hunt on the beach to collect your seaweed specimens, like a true nature explorer! Bring them home and carefully lay them out to create your preserved specimens that make beautiful artwork.
Download our Seaweed Pressing leaflet to get started.
Shetland Community Wildlife Group 