A Moray nursery school which teaches youngsters in the great outdoors has been presented with a top award from the First Minister.
Children who attend Earthtime Forest School Nursery at Duffus, outside Elgin, get the chance to have entire sessions outside in the forest kindergarten.
Their woodland classroom was yesterday commended in the Scotland’s Finest Woodlands awards, a ceremony which celebrates the nation’s best forestry projects.
The children received their award from Nicola Sturgeon, who highlighted the importance of young people understanding the value of trees and the huge role they can play in helping the environment.
She said: “It’s wonderful to see young people in Scotland – from nursery through to secondary school – engaging with trees and our natural environment in such a positive way.
“We know how children benefit from learning outdoors and it is great to see forests and woodlands playing a big part in that outdoor learning.
“It is clear to me that we have a committed and enthusiastic next generation ready to take up the climate challenge – including planting tens of millions more trees.
“With almost 85% of all new tree planting in the UK happening in Scotland, the younger generation is aware of just how important those trees are to our future.”
Other north forestry projects were also recognised.
Fort Augustus Woodlands won the one-off special centenary award, marking 100 years since the 1919 Forestry Act which created the Forestry Commission.
It was handed out to north region team of Forestry and Land Scotland for their adaption to change and resilience.
Abriachan Forest Trust, a 540-hectare community forest beside Loch Ness, was runner-up.
A small community woodland group in the Shetlands called Michaelswood Public Amenity won the Overall Community Woodlands award.