Natural Nations
The Natural Nations project developed surveys to record bird populations, minibeasts, habitats, pollinators, and vegetation in school grounds. An evolution of the award-winning Polli:Nation project, Natural Nations was led by Learning through Landscapes in partnership with Naturskolan i Lund, Lunds Universitet, Birdlife Malta and Sociedad Espanola de Ornitologia SEO (Birdlife Spain).
Working with research schools across four countries, we have tested and produced a suite of resources to help schools identify and encourage wildlife in their school grounds. These include accessible resources to ensure that learning can be adapted for pupils’ different needs and ages, and instructional videos to support all those undertaking the surveys.
Use the buttons below to navigate to our surveys and educational resources for each season.
Surveys
Use these surveys with your class to identify the birds, minibeasts, pollinators, flowering plants, and habitats in your school grounds.
Working with specialist teachers, we have developed accessible versions of the surveys that can be adapted for the different needs of your pupils. The accessible surveys take a slightly different structure combining minibeasts with pollinators; and trees, leaves and flowering plants. Remember: our guidance and surveys are intended to support outdoor learning. The priority here is to engage young people with nature, so have fun!
School Grounds and Habitat Survey
The School Grounds and Habitat Survey is designed to evaluate the suitability of your school grounds for wildlife. Watch our video, and refer to the Practitioner Guidance, for more information on how to conduct the survey in your school grounds.
Bird Survey
The Bird Survey should be conducted during the spring, ideally early in the morning when birds are most active. Watch our video, and refer to the Practitioner Guidance, for more information on how to conduct the survey in your school grounds.
Minibeasts and Leaves Survey
The Minibeasts and Leaves Survey should be conducted during the spring for the best results. Watch our video, and refer to the Practitioner Guidance, for more information on how to conduct the survey in your school grounds.
Pollinators and Flowering Plants Survey
The Pollinators and Flowering Plants Survey is dependent on weather and time of day. Watch our video, and refer to the Practitioner Guidance, for more information on how to conduct the survey in your school grounds.
Practitioner Guidance for Surveys
This essential document provides assistance for conducting the four individual Natural Nations surveys.
Pollinator Identification Guide
Designed for use with the Pollinators Survey, this document is a helpful resource for pollinator identification.
Natural Nations Data Entry Website
Upload your collected data from each of the four surveys to the Natural Nations data entry website.
Practitioner Guidance for Data Input
This document provides assistance for uploading your data to the Natural Nations data entry website.
Educational Resources
Below, you will find lesson ideas covering birds, habitats and vegetation, minibeasts and leaves, and pollinators. They have been carefully selected to cover all four seasons to support learning throughout the year.
We have also developed a range of accessible lesson ideas that can be adapted for the different needs of your pupils.
Spring
After the long cold of winter, the flowers are opening, the bees are buzzing, and the world is coming back to life. Enjoy the season in your school grounds with our spring lesson ideas.
Summer
Nature is in full swing during the warmest season of the year! Enjoy the sunshine in your school grounds with our summer lesson ideas.
Autumn
The leaves are starting to fall from the trees, and animals are getting ready for colder weather. Make the most of the seasonal changes in your school grounds with our autumn lesson ideas.
Winter
Much of the wildlife in our school grounds has retreated for the winter, but there’s still lots to be seen! Use our winter lesson ideas to guide your teaching.
Cultural Heritage Resources
Birdlife Malta have written a series of cultural heritage resources about some of the wildlife you might see in your school grounds. Download the resources below.
Blackbird
Read this cultural heritage resource about blackbirds written by Birdlife Malta.
Dandelion
Read this cultural heritage resource about dandelions written by Birdlife Malta.
Earthworm
Read this cultural heritage resource about earthworms written by Birdlife Malta.
Honey Bee
Read this cultural heritage resource about honey bees written by Birdlife Malta.
Ladybird
Read this cultural heritage resource about ladybirds written by Birdlife Malta.
Robin
Read this cultural heritage resource about robins written by Birdlife Malta.
Stinging Nettle
Read this cultural heritage resource about stinging nettles written by Birdlife Malta.
