WADER is supporting the delivery of Destination Tweed, a source-to-sea trail celebrating and sharing the nature, history and stories of the River Tweed to increase understanding and custodianship. Working with local communities and organisations, as well as artists, storytellers, filmmakers, songwriters, singers and horticulturalists it is curating opportunities to celebrate, care for, enjoy and promote the river sustainably whilst achieving health, wellbeing and economic development. Within this, WADER is specifically supporting the TweedWATCH project, which aims to provide opportunities for children and young people to learn about the wildlife, history and culture of the River Tweed catchment, whilst boosting wellbeing and nurturing a sense of stewardship of the river.
Destination Tweed is composed of a mosaic of revitalisation projects, coordinated by Tweed Forum but delivered in partnership with many other organisations.
In October 2022, Jenny Holmes joined the TweedWATCH team as Education and Engagement officer. Jenny has been working with local school teachers and learners to develop and trial an education programme that celebrates the importance of the river, whilst prioritising the needs of teachers and young people in the area. Jenny has delivered a range of Curriculum for Excellence and National Curriculum linked workshops, designed specifically with a focus on trees & woodlands, river wildlife, riverbank plants, water pollution, rising rivers and history & archaeology. Through this process an education resource pack for teachers and group leaders has been created, providing support in delivering river-themed, Curriculum for Excellence-linked sessions for pupils. The project is also supporting groups that are giving back to nature and engaging in climate action through environmental award schemes like the John Muir Award.
The TweedWATCH Education Pack is a free outdoor learning resource for KS2 and Second Level pupils (ages 7-11). Using landscapes, wildlife and heritage of the River Tweed, it helps children learn outdoors, build confidence in nature and understand how rivers, habitats and communities are connected.
Designed to be flexible and easy to use, activities can take place beside a river, in school grounds or in any local green space.
What’s inside the Pack:
The pack includes six themed topics, each with lesson plans, activities, games, worksheets and teacher guidance:
River Wildlife – explore minibeasts, pollinators, birds and mammals, and learn how river ecosystems work.
River Trees & Woodlands – discover how different woodland types support a healthy river.
Riverbank Plants – investigate biodiversity, invasive species and plant life along riverbanks.
Water Pollution – learn what affects freshwater quality and how we can protect rivers.
Rising Rivers – explore flooding, water flow and nature-based solutions like wetlands and tree planting.
History & Archaeology – connect past and present through stories, objects and evidence from the Tweed catchment.
Purpose
The pack helps teachers deliver curriculum-linked, place-based learning across science, geography, history, literacy, art and wellbeing. It encourages children to value their local environment and understand how their actions can make a difference.
The TweedWATCH Education Pack is available to download as a PDF from the TweedWATCH website here
The pack can be downloaded in full or in individual sections.
Teachers and group leaders can contact Jenny at [email protected] or through the TweedWATCH website here
