Big Wild Life

18/02/2026

Love this tree. Hazel is easy to spot this time of year by its catkins. Take note and come back in the Autumn for a tasty snack.

This deciduous tree is found in woods and hedges across Britain. It can reach a height of 15m and grows on a range of soils, including chalk, limestone, mildly acid and clay.

Coppiced hazel woodlands are rich in wildlife, as the regular cutting allows light to reach the woodland floor, benefitting flowers and butterflies. Over 106 invertebrate species have been found on hazel. The nuts attract squirrels and hazel dormice.

28/11/2025

It has been an absolute pleasure working with Mauricewood Primary School, Edinburgh University and Branching Upwards CIC on this exciting outdoor project.

Over 8 sessions, we had a lot of fun with a great bunch of 10 primary 6 and 7s from Mauricewood PS. We planted wild flowers, trees and developed a community space in the Pentlands. We learnt about nature, shelter building, knots, woodland craft, tree planting, wild meadows, foraging and more.

100% of participants gained their Forest and Outdoor Learning Awards (SCQF-2)! We made a positive impact to the environment, learnt new skills and can come back and watch our forest grow.

It was an absolute pleasure working with everyone involved. Massive thanks Edinburgh University for providing the funding to make this happen, Branching Upwards for setting up all the partnerships, evaluation and delivery and Mauricewood Primary School for being so up for doing something different, supporting the project and making a big difference to those involved.

We can do great things when we all work together.

27/11/2025

This was such a transformational course and so proud to be able to support it.

🌳The Wildlife and Woodland Conservation Skills project has demonstrated how practical, outdoor learning within a college environment can inspire confidence, open progression routes and connect young people to both nature and their own potential. 🌳

Read more about this fantastic course in our case study 👉 https://ow.ly/884n50Xy5KV

21/11/2025

Very proud to be working on these project. Congratulations on passing your FOLA 4!

16/10/2025

It was so nice to spend time in the woods with staff and students at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh.

This pilot project was for staff and faculty at QMU to spend some time to connect, learn from each other and to build a tool kit of ideas for outdoor activities....by doing them. The most fun way to learn!

We ran 5 sessions based on what participants wanted to learn and had a lot of fun doing the following activities:

Den building techniques - shelter building, teepee design and natural dens.

Exploring play - discussions on theory

Woodland craft - gods eyes, natural paint brushes and bookbinding

Stop motion animation - build your own stick tripods!

Kelly Kettles and Campfire Cooking - foraged tea and rosehip syrup with campfire bread.

Foraging - rosehip syrup, elderberry paint and elderberry tea. All growing on campus.

Tools and Knots - safe use of knives and secateurs. Learn useful knots.

Although numbers were not high, students that came were keen to take a lead and grow this initiative. There may even be a way Big Wild Life can help further their outdoor qualifications and provide supported opportunities for students to practice their teaching skills. It goes without saying that we are very keen to support this and was genuinely moved by their kind words about the project and enthusiasm for taking a lead role.

Many thanks to Queen Margaret University for funding the project and Patrick Boxall for continuing to support great things.

Watch this space!

19/09/2025

It is ALWAYS a pleasure to be part of this special festival. Thanks Vogrie Pogrie for including Big Wild Life for another year. We loved it so much ♥️♥️♥️

30/08/2025

Big Wild Life are very proud to be part of Vogrie Pogrie. The festival shares our values of inclusion, experimentation, creativity, community building and play.

We will be hosting the Woodland Sensory Area with a range of activities including...

🌸 Hapazome - printing with plants

⛺ Den building - a great way to play

🪵Wood cookies - make a woodland charm

🪲 Bug hunting and species identification

🖌️ Mud painting - and natural paintbrushes

🌳 Hammocks - a great way to relax in the woods.

And more.

We will also be joined by various acts during the day.

Stop by and say hi on Sat 13th and Sunday the 14th of September at Vogrie Country Park.

16/08/2025

Big Wild Life will be back at Vogrie Pogrie this year!

We will have our usual activities like den building, bug hunting, woodland craft and forest play. If you need some time out, join us to relax in a hammock and chill in the forest.

https://www.vogriepogrie.com/

15/08/2025

It was an absolute pleasure spending time with these amazing young people and working in partnership with Branching Upwards CIC to run some woodland sessions this Summer.

We hope to share many more adventures soon.

15/07/2025

A great opportunity for young people to learn some outdoor cooking skills!

01/07/2025

This is a wonderful festival to volunteer for and a great way to dip your toes into a career in events. For those that do, see you at crew camping neighbour!

VOLUNTEERS WANTED
Are you curious about how a festival comes to life? Do you like making things, meeting people, or simply being useful in a field full of friendly folk? We’re looking for volunteers to help us build, shape and hold this year’s Vogrie Pogrie – a playful, gentle gathering of creativity, community and imagination, set amongst the trees.

You might fancy painting signs, putting up tents, brewing tea, helping people find their way, supporting workshop leaders or welcoming visitors. Maybe you’re good at packing vans. Maybe you don’t know yet – and that’s ok too.

What we offer:�
– Your travel costs covered (whether it’s train, bus or lift-share petrol)�
– Tasty meals and bottomless tea and biscuits from our crew kitchen�
– Free camping for the weekend in a dedicated crew space�
– A place in a warm, generous team�
– Space to learn, try things, and share what you bring�
– And a crew party, of course

Open to ages 16+. No experience needed – just a willingness to muck in, be kind, and join the dance.

To learn more please visit: https://forms.gle/FgMbMDcbYZ8Bg3Tr5

27/06/2025

So excited to be running some Summer sessions in Peebles with Branching Upwards CIC! There's only a couple of spaces left so be sure to book soon. See you in the woods!

A few spaces remaining!! 🌿🌳

Join Donna and I on 4th, 5th, 11th or 12th Aug Aug for 2.5hrs of forest fun including bushcraft activities, campfires, team games, den building, woodland art and much more!

Book today via:
www.bookwhen.com/branchingupwards

£25pp per session (10% sibling discount)

Payment will be via BACS transfer and confirmation of places will be on receipt of payment.

If no spaces remain for your desired date drop us a message and we can add your child to the waiting list ♥️🌳